THE Queensland Government will undertake targeted trials into the use of medicinal cannabis but there will be no broader dispensation to use the drug despite a 12,000-strong petition calling for changes to the law.
The petition, driven by Bec Bridson of Mons was presented to Parliament late last year by Buderim MP Steve Dickson.
It claimed that the United Nations stipulated cannabis should be available for medical and research purposes and that the Queensland Government's position failed to uphold human rights, was discriminatory in that it excluded thousands of people from the benefits of whole plant cannabis therapies; failed to support local farmers, jobs and the economy in favour of offshore pharmaceutical companies; increased the cost of the PBS scheme; supported the $11bn personal cannabis use black market; was wasteful of public resources; that prosecution of medicinal cannabis use was not in the public interest and failed to facilitate research.
The petition further stated that government policy meant existing cannabis patients were unable to share their medical information for fear of arrest and prosecution and failed to recognise the human endocannabinoid system and benefits of cannabis as a source of nutrition.
It had called on the government to allow people with a medical conditions or symptoms, who may benefit, access to Australian-made, whole-plant cannabis therapies and in doing so support farmers.
The petition had sought an immediate amnesty to all cannabis therapy users, their carers and cannabis therapists to allow discussion and research without fear of prosecution.
Health Minister Cameron Dick said he appreciated there was growing community interest in the therapeutic potential of cannabis-derived compounds for a number of conditions, including neuropathic pain, muscle spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis and cancer-related nausea.
"The Premier has previously announced that Queensland will undertake a trial of medicinal cannabis in children with severe, drug-resistant epilepsy,'' he said.
"An announcement about the technical details of trials will be made once they have been settled and agreed between all parties.
"The Commonwealth Government, through the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) operates the Special Access Scheme. The Special Access Scheme provides an approval process for the import and supply of an unapproved therapeutic good for use by a single patient, on a case by case basis."
But he said the Queensland Drugs Misuse Act 1986 made the production, possession and supply of cannabis an offence where such activities are done "unlawfully".
"That is, without authorisation, justification or excuse by law,'' Mr Dick said.
"In light of this, the Palaszczuk Government recently amended the Health (Drugs and Poisons) Regulation 1996 to allow the chief executive of Queensland Health to approve a person to administer, dispense, manufacture, obtain, possess, prescribe, supply or use cannabis for or in connection with, an approved clinical trial, or an approval under the Special Access Scheme.
"The cultivation, possession and distribution of cannabis or cannabis products remain a crime in Queensland."
reference: http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/govt-retains-tight-dope-controls/2890209/
