[Greens-Media] Medicinal cannabis report lays down challenge to O'Farrell and Robertson

[John Kaye]

Medicinal cannabis report lays down challenge to O'Farrell and Robertson

Media release: 15 May 2013

The NSW Upper House inquiry into medicinal cannabis has unanimously advocated for a change to the state's drug laws to allow people with terminal illness and AIDS to be able to possess and use small quantities of marijuana without fear of criminal prosecution, according to Greens NSW MP and committee member John Kaye.

NSW Upper House General Purpose Standing Committee 3's report on the inquiry into "The use of cannabis for medical purposes" tabled today can be found at http://j.mp/MediCana.

Dr Kaye said: "The Committee was moved by the plight of people who are experiencing intolerable pain and in many cases approaching the end of their life.

"Many of them already use cannabis as a pain relief but have to break the law to obtain and possess the drug. Stress from the fear of prosecution adds to their already appalling suffering.

"The Committee unanimously recommended that the state's Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act be amended to remove the additional stress of the fear of criminal prosecution for possession and use of 15 grams of crude cannabis product.

"The evidence we received was deeply persuasive. Despite every political party and every shade of belief being represented on the Committee, the recommendations were unanimous.

"It is now up to Premier Barry O'Farrell and Opposition Leader John Robertson to join with all members of the Committee to bring some relief to the pain and suffering for people who are dying.

"The Coalition and Labor must not let the inevitable and unjustified hysteria that surrounds cannabis law reform interfere with the opportunity to provide relief for people who are in pain and dying.

"This recommendation will not add to the supply of cannabis, nor will it in any significant way encourage the use of the drug.

"It is about giving some relief to those who are in appalling pain.

"The Committee also supported the much less controversial use of pharmaceutical cannabis in pill, tincture or spray form as a prescription drug.

"Patients who suffer from multiple sclerosis and chronic pain where other treatments have failed are likely to benefit from the new pharmaceuticals that could be developed from cannabis products.

"There is also a growing body of evidence that some tumours may respond to some of the ingredients in cannabis.

"I have written to Health Minister Jillian Skinner urging her to support further research into the treatment of certain cancers with cannabis components.

"It is a tribute to the power of the evidence that was presented to the Committee that all the recommendations were unanimous," Dr Kaye said.

For more information:   John Kaye 0407 195 455


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John Kaye
Greens NSW MP

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