Federal member for Page Kevin Hogan has welcomed the Government’s move to allow the controlled cultivation of cannabis for medicinal use.
“I have heard numerous stories from members of our community with debilitating illnesses who want access to medicinal cannabis to help relief their chronic pain and improve the quality of their lives,” he said.
Minister for Health Sussan Ley said on the weekend that the Government was currently in the process of finalising draft amendments to the Narcotics Drug Act 1967 to allow the controlled cultivation of cannabis for medicinal and scientific purposes in Australia.
“Given our climate and strong agricultural sector, the Northern Rivers would be perfectly placed for the cultivation of cannabis for medicinal use,” Mr Hogan said.
Currently there are already systems in place to licence the manufacture and supply of medicinal cannabis-based products in Australia, however there is no mechanism to allow the production of a safe, legal and sustainable local supply.
This has meant Australian patients, researchers and manufacturers have had to try to access international supplies of legal medicinal cannabis crops and products, but limited supplies and export barriers in other countries have made this difficult.
Mr Hogan said allowing the cultivation of legal medicinal cannabis crops in Australia under strict controls strikes the right balance between patient access, community protection and our international obligations.
