Senate committee reccommends medical cannabis bill

A parliamentary committee is backing a plan by a cross-section of senators to make medical cannabis available to Australians.

The Senate's legal and constitutional affairs committee recommended the Greens bill to set up a regulator of medical cannabis be passed.

The regulator would be "responsible for formulating rules for licensing the production, manufacture, supply, use, experimental use and import and export of medicinal cannabis".

The committee unanimously recommended the bill's passage, with amendments to ensure scientific evidence is accessed to determine suitably of treatments.

It also wants amendments to ensure medical cannabis products are made available in Australia in line with international obligations.

The private bill is co-sponsored by government senator Ian MacDonald, Labor senator Anne Urquhart and Liberal Democratic Party senator David Leyonhjelm.

Greens leader Richard Di Natale said Australians wanted medical cannabis reform and hopes the support from all sides of politics means parliament can work together to make it happen.

"This issue is not about politics, it's about getting medicine to people who need it," he said.

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