National support for medical marijuana trial
The Commonwealth has thrown its support behind NSW’s plan to roll out a clinical trial of medicinal cannabis.
After mounting community pressure the NSW government last month announced terminally-ill patients may soon be able to use cannabis free from fear of being charged.
NSW Premier Mike Baird directed a working group to come up with the parameters for a trial of medicinal cannabis and to look at concerns about drug supply and distribution.
Australia’s health ministers at the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting last week offered their support to NSW in it’s long-awaited plan for a clinical trial.
Australian Medical Association SA president Patricia Montanaro told 891ABC radio this morning that she expected South Australian patients would be part of the trial.
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Baird on Tuesday welcomed the move.
“NSW is playing a leadership role but our historic agreement to work collaboratively on this significant issue means we have a far greater chance of success,” he said in a statement.
“We look forward to working with the Commonwealth and the other states and territories to develop our understanding of the role medicinal cannabis could play for some seriously ill people.”
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Under the NSW measures, police will be allowed to exercise discretion not to charge terminally-ill adults who use cannabis.
Baird’s working group is due to report back by the end of the year on how a trial should be carried out.
It is likely other states and territories will look at the group’s findings for guidance in any other potential trials.
Baird was moved to act after meeting cancer patient Daniel Haslam, who has been using the drug illegally to relieve his suffering.
Haslam’s mother Lucy, a nurse, and his ex-police officer father have been buying cannabis to help their son deal with the side effects of chemotherapy.
In South Australia, there is a growing push to legalise marijuana for medical purposes.
Premier Jay Weatherill has said that if there was a “serious proposition put forward (regarding the legalisation of medical cannabis) that is backed by sensible research, then it is something that the government would consider”.
The Opposition says it is open to discussion on changes to the law.
Greens MLC Tammy Franks has put forward a motion in the Legislative Council calling for a formal roundtable on the matter – and she expects strong cross-party support when the motion comes to a vote in November.
– with AAP
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