ACT Greens Push for Medical Cannabis for the Terminally Ill

Terminally and chronically ill residents in Canberra, Australia will be able to legally consume marijuana to ease their symptoms if a proposal by the ACT Greens is adopted.

While cannabis use for pain relief is illegal throughout Australia and can result in criminal prosecution, if successful the proposal would allow people to get a permit to grow the cannabis themselves. Greens MLA Shane Rattenbury released exposure draft legislation for consultation, and a discussion paper, to legalize medical cannabis. The legislation will allow people who are sick or dying to access treatment without risking criminal sanction.

Under the proposal, cannabis could be used by residents who are expected to die within a year, those with chronic illnesses such as cancer or AIDS, and those whose physicians say the drug could mitigate symptoms of chronic conditions. Residents seeking to qualify for treatment with medical cannabis would be required to get a medical declaration from their physician and apply for a one-year usage permit from the chief health officer, who would also issue permits to allow people to grow small amounts of cannabis for their use.

The proposal would need support from Labor or Liberal members of the Legislative Assembly to become law. Rattenbury is expecting community feedback over the next couple of months that will help influence the decision makers of major political parties. Individuals convicted of a drug offense within five years would not be eligible to apply for a permit.

“I have heard from people who are suffering from chronic pain, who are dying, or who are watching a friend or family member suffer without relief. This legislation is for them – it’s about showing them compassion, and removing the threat of criminal sanction. Almost seventy percent of Australians support legalising cannabis for medical purposes. As the community’s understanding of the medical evidence grows, so too has their support for legalasing medical cannabis so that the sick and dying can have access to pain and symptom relief,” said Rattenbury. “Currently in the ACT, and in Australia, it is illegal to use cannabis for pain relief, and those who use it to cope with their symptoms risk criminal prosecution. I, and the Greens, don’t believe that we should punish the sick for trying to access treatment that makes their pain more bearable or the remainder of their lives more tolerable.”

The exposure draft and discussion paper will be open for community consultation until September 15.

Last updated: 7/22/14; 2:55pm EST