Medicinal cannabis to be expanded for more young Victorians suffering serious illnesses

UP TO 70 sick Victorian patients have applied to the Federal Government to access medicinal cannabis.

UP TO 70 sick Victorian patients have applied to the Federal Government to access medicinal cannabis.

Victorian Minister for Health Jill Hennessy revealed adult patients were rushing to access the new drug after the Turnbull Government gave medicinal cannabis the green light in January.

The majority of the Victorian patients had severe epilepsy but also suffered from various cancers.

Ms Hennessy encouraged more people to approach their doctor and seek approval for treatment and promised Victoria would work to minimise red tape.

However, there are concerns medicinal products could be very expensive in the early years, prompting Ms Hennessy to confirm Victoria was pushing for drugs to be listed on the PBS scheme.

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First commercial cannabis crop handed over by Victorian Agricultural Minister Jaala Pulford.

Further state funding was also announced to treat up to 60 children in Victoria over the next two years.

Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford said she hoped that “half of the medicinal cannabis for the Australian market by 2028.”

She predicted jobs would also be created across the state with growing and manufacturing facilities approved in Melbourne and regional areas.

Ms Pulford said a steep rise in demand medicinal cannabis for exports in the coming years.It

It is estimated the cannabis sector will contribute $90 million to Victoria’s economy per year, once in full swing.

Up to 500 new jobs will be created in the supply chain with Victorian companies tipped to supply products to 83,000 Australian patients by 2028.

Ms Pulford said there was a big future for medicinal cannabis.

“This is the birth of a new and emerging industry right here in Victoria and that means more jobs for our state,’’ she said.

“Victoria is the powerhouse when it comes to innovation and scientific research, making our state the natural hub for a thriving medicinal cannabis industry.”

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“We’re continuing to break new ground every day and putting Victoria on the world stage when it comes to the export and cultivation of medicinal cannabis.”

Minister for Health, Jill Hennessy has been preparing expanded access program. Picture: AAP

The Labor Government has also flagged a research collaboration with the Canadian company Canopy Growth Corporation.

It will focus on medicinal cannabis plants and product strains, best approaches to strain development, cultivation, manufacturing and education.

It is expected up to 166,000 patients will access the drug in Australia by 2028.

In January, the federal government approved the exportation of medicinal cannabis to help assist the budding industry.

Health Minister Greg Hunt said Australian patients will be prioritised to ensure the safe supply.