Pubdate: Sun, 11 Jan 2015
Source: Illawarra Mercury (Australia)
Copyright: 2015 Illawarra Newspapers
Contact:  http://www.illawarramercury.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/205
Author: Andrew Pearson And AAP

ILLAWARRA MP BACKS MEDICINAL CANNABIS APPROACH

Keira MP Ryan Park has thrown his support behind Labor leader Luke
Foley's push for a more ambitious approach to medicinal cannabis.

Mr Park, a long-time advocate for the availability of the drug, has
echoed the call for bi-partisan action to ensure people can "get some
comfort from this drug and not feel like a criminal in the process".

"I am very supportive of the fact that Luke has put this issue on the
agenda because, to be frank, I think it is one that has been kicked
around for too long," Mr Park said.

"We know people in our community who are suffering from conditions
such as cancer could benefit from this drug and we should be doing
everything we can to make it available."

On Sunday, Mr Foley said NSW needed a "more ambitious" medicinal
cannabis program than the scheme proposed by the Baird government,
including changes to drug laws.

The NSW government is planning a $9 million trial for medicinal
cannabis that has the potential to treat children with severe
epilepsy, terminally-ill adults and those undergoing
chemotherapy.

Under new guidelines, police will have the discretion not to charge
terminally-ill cannabis users and carers who assist them for breaking
drug laws.

"The law should disappear from the statute books," Mr Foley
said.

"I'd like to see us cross party lines here and change the law so that
the terminally ill and their loved ones need never fear
prosecution.

"I want to ... give people experiencing terrible pain and suffering
some hope."

Mr Foley said he wanted the Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act changed
"as a matter of urgency" in the first sitting week of parliament after
the March state election. He said if a state trial on medicinal
cannabis were to take place, "it should be far quicker than what's
envisaged in NSW".

He has yet to talk to Premier Mike Baird about the
issue.

The trial, announced by the Baird government in December, will first
have to overcome logistical hurdles in importing medical cannabis from
Europe or the US.

If permission is denied, the government has indicated it could grow
its own crop.

Mr Park said he was "very keen" to work with the government on
drafting legislation that enables legitimate use of the drug, but
ensures its recreational aspect is "completely and utterly
prohibited".
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D