Well it was only a matter of time for medical cannabis legislation to change but, as always, the devil is in the detail.
It seems that there's a plethora of pre clinical and pharmacological evidence to support cannabis is much safer than alcohol for example, yet the fear of the evil weed propaganda of the past 50 years is still very prevalent.
In the new VIC legislation, Non-smokable marijuana products including oils, sprays and vaporisers are acceptable, but nothing that resembles the actual cannabis plant.
Now on the subject of "non-smokable" , combustible plant matter does produce carcinogens, but raw cannabis, such as the flowers from the female plant can be vaporised as an alternative to smoking. Vaporising is a healthier alternative that does not produce carcinogens and can also be titrated, which is great for some illnesses such as PTSD or osteoarthritis.
Whilst we applaud the Victorian government in being the first off the blocks, their fears of medical cannabis being let loose on society are unwarranted.
Regulation is needed to some extent, but what's really needed is more scientific based education and independent research.
It's proven that cannabis, unlike alcohol is not poisonous, scientifically proven. It's also proven that unless someone is predisposed to schizophrenia, meaning it's in their DNA, cannabis does not cause schizophrenia.
As for addiction, this is the next topic on MMA's agenda, and we plan to interview the most knowledgeable academics we can find.

And now for the great news.........
reference; http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/state-parliament-approves-legalisation-of-medicinal-cannabis/news-story/cf1365cd0fea0342705077508362b75a?from=herald%20sun_rss#load-story-comments

MEDICINAL cannabis has been made legal in Victoria and will be grown and supplied to patients in Victoria as early as 2017.

The historic Access to Medicinal Cannabis Bill 2015 passed the Victorian parliament just after 6pm.

Children suffering severe epilepsy will be among the first to be treated using a range of non-smokable marijuana products including oils, sprays and vaporisers.

Minister for Health Jill Hennessy welcomed the bill passing.

“Children with severe epilepsy will now be able to legally access this lifesaving treatment from as early as 2017.”

“It is absolutely heartbreaking to see families having to choose between breaking the law and watching their children suffer — and now, thanks to our groundbreaking legislation, they won’t have to.”

Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford revealed a small-scale, strictly controlled cannabis cultivation trial at a Victorian research facility was set to begin in April.

“We are on track to deliver on our promise to make medicinal cannabis available to Victorian patients in exceptional circumstances, with the first cultivation trial about to get underway,’’ she said.

Patients must suffer severe epileptic seizures, muscle spasms resulting from multiple sclerosis, severe pain and nausea arising from cancer or HIV/AIDS or chronic pain approved by two specialists.

The new law comes after the Victorian Law Reform handed down 42 recommendations last year including how to dispense the drug through pharmacies to patients who have been prescribed treatment by a medical specialist.

Victorian patients and their families will be able to legally access medicinal cannabis in exceptional circumstances.

reference; http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/state-parliament-approves-legalisation-of-medicinal-cannabis/news-story/cf1365cd0fea0342705077508362b75a?from=herald%20sun_rss#load-story-comments