[Greens-Media] Media Release - Medicinal cannabis bill to be introduced today

[Blyberg, Andrew (Sen R. Di Natale)]

Media Release

Dr Richard Di Natale
Greens Health Spokesperson
 
27/11/2014

Medicinal cannabis bill to be introduced today

Australian Greens health spokesperson and Co-convenor of the Parliamentary Group for Drug Policy and Law Reform, Dr Richard Di Natale, said today that he was pleased to join with Senate colleagues from across the political spectrum to introduce a bill that will make medicinal cannabis available for people who need it.

"This bill is about giving people access to medicine that provides relief from severe pain and suffering," said Senator Di Natale, a former GP.

"An independent regulator would be responsible for licensing the growing, manufacturing and distribution of medicinal cannabis. It will use clinical evidence to determine the limited set of conditions for which medicinal cannabis can be prescribed. 

"There is already overwhelming evidence for the efficacy of medicinal cannabis for conditions such as intractable nausea and muscle spasms. The regulator would facilitate trials for those conditions where there is emerging evidence but more work may be needed.

"It's sadly a rare feat to have parliamentarians from all sides put away their partisan blinkers and work together to find meaningful solutions. I'm proud to be part of such a collaborative and non-partisan process. 

"Let's be clear - this is not a Greens bill, a Labor bill or a Liberal bill - this is a bill that the whole parliament can own. And hopefully it's a bill that the whole parliament can vote for.

Media contact: Andrew Blyberg 0457 901 600