Pubdate: Tue, 12 Mar 2013
Source: Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)
Copyright: 2013 The Sydney Morning Herald
Contact:  http://www.smh.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/441
Page: 10

PUSH FOR MEDICINAL USE OF CANNABIS TO EASE CHRONIC PAIN

(AAP) - Cannabis should be approved for medicinal use for people
suffering chronic pain, advocates have told a NSW parliamentary committee.

Cancer survivor Sally Crossing, the deputy chair of the volunteer
advocacy group Cancer Voices NSW, told a public hearing at Parliament
House on Monday it appeared self-evident that cannabis relieved pain
for many sufferers.

The committee is inquiring into the feasibility and safety of using
cannabis as a medicine, the legal implications and how cannabis could
be supplied to patients.

Ms Crossing said stronger drugs classed as illegal had long been
approved for medicinal use without problems. Other painkillers could
have severe side-effects whereas cannabis could do the job without
side effects, as shown in some states in the United States.

Lesley Brydon, who has suffered severe arthritic pain and is CEO of
the advocacy group Pain Australia, told the inquiry her organisation
was in favour of approved therapeutic cannabis products being legally
available though she would not use them.
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MAP posted-by: Matt