[Greens-Media] Time for NSW govt to rethink opposition to medical cannabis

[John Kaye]

Time for NSW govt to rethink opposition to medical cannabis

Media release: 25 May 2014

As former Federal Police Commissioner Mick Palmer adds his voice to calls
for the terminally ill to be given legal access to cannabis, NSW Health
Minister Jillian Skinner is increasingly isolated in her opposition to
medical marijuana, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.

(''Tough on drugs' cop: Allow cannabis for the ill' Sunday Telegraph, 25
May,  p. 22, http://j.mp/ST140525)

Dr Kaye will this week introduce his bill to implement the findings of last
year's Upper House inquiry into medical uses of cannabis. The bill would
allow people with a terminal illness to apply for a card that would exempt
them from prosecution for possession of small quantities of cannabis.

Dr Kaye said: "It is time for Health Minister Jillian Skinner to think
again.

"Her initial rejection of the cross-party Upper House committee's unanimous
findings was based on bad advice that the proposal would encourage
recreational use of the drug.

"Respected current and former police have made their position clear. The
terminally ill should be allowed to possess small quantities of crude
cannabis to relieve their pain and suffering without the fear of criminal
prosecution.

"The Minister is increasingly isolated in her position.

"Senior police, health experts and members of five of the six parties
represented in the NSW parliament are calling for humanitarian reform.

"Cancer patients like Dan Haslam from Tamworth  are forced to make an
appalling choice between unbearable suffering and breaking the law.

"It is not too late for the Baird government to take up leadership on this
issue.

"On Tuesday I will be introducing a bill into the NSW Parliament that
enacts the findings of the Upper House committee.

"This is a very cautious and limited model of medicinal cannabis.

"Only the terminally ill could apply for a card which would be issued y the
Department of Health.

"The process would be closely monitored by public health officials.

"It would allow those who are going to die to find some relief from their
suffering and pain without the fear of criminal prosecution.

"I will happily withdraw the Bill if the Minister indicates she will look
again at the issue and listen to the patients, the medical profession and
law enforcement officials who are calling for a rational and humanitarian
approach to medical cannabis," Dr Kaye said.

For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455

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John Kaye
Greens NSW MP
phone: 0407 195 455
web: www.john.nsw.greens.org.au
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