‘Big change’ coming to marijuana laws as Queensland leads the way

QUEENSLAND is leading the way on cannabis reform, with the state responding to a “growing demand” for change.

Marijuana leaf

AUSTRALIA is facing “big change” to laws around cannabis, with Queensland leading the way on helping sick people access the currently illegal drug.

Queensland Health Minister Cameron Dick told Triple M Brisbane’s Marto and Ed Kavalee for Breakfast this morning that there was “growing demand” for the move.

The Bill, which was released online for public consultation last night, will formalise the process by which doctors can prescribe medicinal cannabis to patients.

“It’s going to be a prescribing and dispensing system, so we’ll be authorising doctors to prescribe medicinal cannabis and we’ll be allowing select pharmacists who can control the drug safely to be able to prescribe, so it’s a big change,” Mr Dick said.

“Queensland has a lot to give in that space, a great history of agriculture, we’ve got some of the most innovative farmers in the world, we’ve got the right climate, we’ve got the right place and this is something there is growing demand for, the Federal Government’s going to be putting in a licensing process for the production of medicinal cannabis and I think we’re perfectly positioned.”

The Bill was praised by Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who said in a statement: “This Bill will create the most progressive laws in the country.”

Mr Dick told Triple M there would still be careful controls around the substance. “We’re not going to limit it necessarily, but cannabis is a narcotic, it’s a dangerous drug and we need to control it effectively and that’s why we’ll be putting that process in place.

Queensland Health Minister Cameron Dick wants the state to lead the way in Australia on medicinal cannabis. Picture: Liam Kidston

“I’ll be honest with you, this isn’t about decriminalising marijuana for general use and I don’t want to raise expectation.

“I think there is a debate in that space. In my personal view, I think we’ve got enough trouble to be honest with drugs that are legal at the moment, and look, it’s a conversation that will be ongoing.

“But let’s take this step, let’s let people use it for medicinal purposes and then if something good comes out of that, which I know it will, then maybe we can look at those things down the track, but at this stage the government’s view is, let’s go down this path and try and help some people.”

Doctors will be able to apply for access to medicinal cannabis, and will require approval from the Queensland Government and Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

Ms Palaszczuk said an expert advisory committee would be formed to guide medical practitioners in assisting patients in obtaining Commonwealth approval of medicinal cannabis products.

The move could help patients like 17-year-old Lindsay Carter, from Brisbane, who lives with a brain tumour, intractable epilepsy, chronic pain and nausea.

He visited the US four times in 2014, where he received treatment including medicinal marijuana and saw his tumour reduce in size. But when he returned to Australia he stopped using the oil and it grew three millimetres in three months.

After a long process, Lindsay was granted the TGA Special Access Scheme late last year and is awaiting final approval, his mother Lanai told news.com.au. The tumour is now shrinking or stable and, while he still has seizures, he has no oedema (watery fluid in cavities) around the brain.