Pubdate: Thu, 16 May 2013
Source: Geelong Advertiser (Australia)
Copyright: 2013 The Geelong Advertiser Pty Ltd
Contact:  http://www.glgadvertiser.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1031

MEDICAL CANNABIS GETS A GREEN LIGHT

A NSW parliamentary committee has recommended cannabis be available 
in leaf form to ease the suffering of the terminally ill.

Patients with cancer, fullb-lown AIDS or other fatal diseases would 
be allowed to possess and use up to 15 grams of dry cannabis.

But they wouldn't be able to grow their own cannabis and would need 
to buy the drug from legal dealers.

Committee chair Sarah Mitchell said people at the end of their life 
who used cannabis to relieve their pain or stimulate their appetite 
shouldn't be criminalised.

The Upper House committee is calling on the Government to amend the 
Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act, describing the move as "both 
appropriate and compassionate".

Patients would need to be certified by a treating specialist, who 
would put them and their carers on a register overseen by the NSW 
Ministry of Health.

Labor MP and committee member Adam Searle said they had heard " 
compelling evidence" from individual sufferers as well as clinicians.

" The unanimity across the political spectrum sends a very clear 
signal to the Government that these recommendations should be very 
closely considered," he said.

The committee, which included Liberal, National, Labor, Greens and 
Shooters party members, was unanimous.

The report stated its preference for cannabis based pharmaceuticals 
but noted only one product, used to treat multiple sclerosis, was available.

It also called on NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner to write to the 
Commonwealth  which governs the regulation of drugs  to advocate 
expanding the scheme.

Committee member and Labor MP Amanda Fazio conceded the issue of 
supply needed further investigation.

Eighteen states in the US have legalised use of cannabis for medical 
purposes, along with Canada and Israel.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom