A cancer survivor in Fiji is advocating for lawmakers to explore the legislative possibilities surrounding the medicinal use of marijuana. Mereoni Marama, 26, shared her personal journey during the Counter Narcotics Bill consultation in Bua, emphasizing her experiences with cancer treatment and the use of marijuana leaf juice.
Marama clarified that she is not a spokesperson for the Fiji Cancer Society or the Ministry of Health. Instead, she recounted her battle with cancer and the ways in which marijuana helped her during treatment, likening it to other herbal remedies that many people utilize. “I’m not speaking on behalf of the Fiji Cancer Society or the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, but as a cancer survivor who has used marijuana at one point in the fight against cancer, just like other herbal medicines that we all drank,” she stated.
Her advocacy has caught the attention of others in attendance, with additional voices supporting the idea that marijuana may offer significant benefits to cancer patients. One participant shared that friends who utilized marijuana juice were able to extend their lives for several years, suggesting a potentially positive impact on treatment outcomes.
In response to these statements, a representative from the Ministry of Policing acknowledged the feedback, revealing that another ministry is currently investigating the implications of medicinal hemp usage. This proposal is now part of a broader national dialogue as discussions regarding the Counter Narcotics Bill proceed.
The growing interest in medicinal marijuana reflects a shift towards considering alternative treatments that could benefit patients battling serious illnesses. As stakeholders engage in these discussions, there is hope for future legislative changes that may support the medicinal use of cannabis in Fiji.
Leave a comment