Medicinal / Therapeutic Cannabis

Submission by the Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Association ACT In.c (ATODA) to the Inquiry into the Exposure Draft of the Drugs of Dependence (Cannabis Use for Medical Purposes) Amendment Bill 2014, and the related discussion paper (October 2014)

ATODA’s Submission on the ACT Greens Medical Cannabis Discussion Paper (October 2014)

Medicinal Cannabis Summary Report from the ACT Public Forum and Conference Session (October 2014)

Media Release – Public Forum: Better Understanding Evidence-Based Medicinal Cannabis Options for the ACT (September 2014)

Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA)
Medicinal cannabis in Australia (September 2014)

Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD)
Medicinal use of cannabis: Background and Information Paper (August 2014)

Australian Drug Foundation (ADF)
Support for pharmaceutical cannabis – with conditions (August 2014)

On Thursday 7 August 2014, the ACT Legislative Assembly passed the following resolution:

The Standing Committee on Health, Ageing, Community and Social Services is calling for submissions to its inquiry into the Exposure Draft of the Drugs of Dependence (Cannabis Use for Medical Purposes) Amendment Bill 2014 and related discussion paper.

On 7 August 2014, the Legislative Assembly referred the Exposure Draft and discussion paper to the Standing Committee for its consideration. The Committee is required to report back to the Assembly by the last sitting day in June 2015.

The Bill seeks to amend the Drugs of Dependence Act 1989 to enable a person to apply in writing to the Chief Health Officer for approval to possess and use cannabis for medical purposes specified in three different categories. Applications must be accompanied by a medical declaration by a doctor. The Bill also provides for the Chief Health Officer to grant a one-year licence to cultivate cannabis for the purposes of an approval.

The Bill and the Discussion Paper are available at: http://www.legislation.act.gov.au/ed/db_50263/default.asp

The Committee invites submissions from interested organisations and individuals to its inquiry.

Written submissions should be lodged with the Committee Secretary by Friday, 13 February.

The Committee intends to hold public hearings in early 2015 to assist its inquiry and invites you to indicate in your submission whether you would like to appear at public hearing.

For further information or to lodge a submission please contact the Committee Secretary, Mrs Nicola Kosseck on 620 50435 or email at: committees@parliament.act.gov.au.

Click here to download further information about the inquiry and the submission process.

Minister Shane Rattenbury MLA, Greens Member for Molonglo, invited feedback and submissions on the proposals in the ACT Greens Medicinal Cannabis Discussion Paper and the exposure draft of the Drugs of Dependence (Cannabis Use for Medical Purposes) Amendment Bill 2014.

Feedback from all sectors of the community, including the medical and health profession, the general public, and people working in drug policy, law reform and enforcement were welcomed.

The discussion paper posed the following questions:

• Are the recognised illness and conditions appropriate?
• Are the requirements for medical involvement in the application process appropriate and adequate?
• Is it sufficient that for Category 2 and Category 3 applicants all regular treatments are “medically inappropriate”? Should other factors be relevant – for example, if a treatment is unaffordable?
• Does the legislation strike the right balance in regards to eligibility for children to use medical cannabis?
• Are the conditions for permits to use cannabis sufficient and appropriate?
• Are the conditions for permits to cultivate cannabis sufficient and appropriate?
• Is 3 years an appropriate period before the review occurs?
• How should drug-driving laws deal with the issue of legalised medical cannabis?

Submissions closed on 15 September 2014

The ACT (and the Australian) community is calling out for a legal regime for therapeutic/medicinal cannabis. The Legislative Assembly for the ACT is currently conducting an Inquiry on the matter. Opinion leaders across the nation believe that it is a matter of when we will have legal therapeutic cannabis available to some very ill people, rather than a case of if it will become available.

An argument against introducing a legal therapeutic cannabis regime in the ACT is that it will increase the availability of the drug for use for non-therapeutic purposes which will, in turn, increase the levels of cannabis-related harm in the ACT community. They point to some parts of the USA where therapeutic cannabis programs operate much like a legalised recreational cannabis market.

On 10 March 2014, ATODA has invited Professor Kilmer to visit Canberra as part of its role in helping to ensure that ACT alcohol and other drug policy reflects contemporary knowledge about what works in what contexts, and what is cost-effective.

For more information: See the flyer, email info@atoda.org.au, or call (02) 6249 6358

ATODA, the Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) and the AIDS Action Council co-hosted the public forum on medicinal cannabis on 23 September 2014 at the ACT Legislative Assembly.

This was the free public component of the 7^th Annual ACT Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Sector Conference, which was held at the National Portrait Gallery of Australia on 24 September 2014

The public forum included short presentations, a panel Q&A and information about current developments in the ACT and elsewhere. The speakers and panellists included:

• Emeritus Professor Laurence Mather, University of Sydney
• Dr Alex Wodak, Australian Drug Law Reform Foundation
• Mr David McDonald, The Australian National University
• Mr Michael Moore, Public Health Association of Australia
• Mr Shane Rattenbury MLA, who introduced the Private Member’s Bill on medicinal cannabis into the ACT Legislative Assembly
• Dr Chris Bourke MLA, Chair of the Standing Committee on Health, Ageing, Community and Social Services leading the ACT Legislative Assembly’s Inquiry into the exposure draft of the Drugs of Dependence (Cannabis Use for Medical Purposes) Amendment Bill 2014 and related discussion paper
• Mrs Agnes Shea OAM, Ngunnawal Elder
• Ms Carrie Fowlie, ATODA

Click here to download the public forum flyer, media release and summary report.

The 7^th Annual ACT Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Conference 2014 covered topics that are of current interest and are stimulating development in research, policy and practice in the ATOD sector, such as medicinal cannabis, ‘e-cigarettes’, drug driving and New Psychoactive Substances (NPS).

Medicinal cannabis presentations were delivered by:

• Emeritus Professor Laurence Mather, University of Sydney
• Dr Alex Wodak, St Vincent Hospital and Australian Drug Law Reform Foundation

Click here to download the medicinal cannabis summary report from the conference and the previous day’s public forum.

For further information about the conference visit: http://www.atoda.org.au/activities/conference/

NCPIC eBulletin: The use of cannabis for medical purposes (September 2014)

Cannabis kids: the long wait for change
Canberra Times, 22 May 2015
Across Australia increasing numbers of families are turning to cannabis as a last resort to relieve their children’s seizures, chronic pain and a host of other suffering.
For more information: See the article

ACT to work with NSW on trial of medical cannabis, says Chief Minister Andrew Barr
Canberra Times, 21 April 2015
The ACT will work with New South Wales on a medical cannabis trial, Chief Minister Andrew Barr says.
For more information: See the article

Trials a step forward for medicinal cannabis but what comes next?
The Conversation, 21 April 2015
David Penington, Emeritus Professor, University of Melbourne
Queenslanders and Victorians with particular chronic illnesses may now be eligible to join New South Wales medicinal cannabis trials, due to start mid next year.
For more information: See the article

ACT Policing chief Rudi Lammers raises concerns about medical cannabis proposal
Canberra Times, 9 April 2015
The ACT’s most senior police officer has raised concerns about a proposed medical marijuana scheme, telling the Legislative Assembly public safety and police resources would have to be considered if it was introduced.
For more information: See the article

Medical cannabis proposal in ACT would cost health directorate too much: chief health officer
ABC News, 9 April 2015
A proposal to allow the use of medical marijuana in the ACT would be a “large drain” on the health directorate’s resources, according to the Territory’s top doctor.
For more information: See the article

Australian Medical Association warns of cannabis risk from Greens plan
Canberra Times, 31 March 2015
Canberra-doctors do not support a proposed medical cannabis scheme for the ACT, representatives of the Australian Medical Association told a Legislative Assembly committee.
For more information: See the article

Greens Minister Shane Rattenbury proposes medical marijuana scheme in Canberra
Canberra Times, 22 March 2015
A bold plan to make Canberra the medical marijuana capital of Australia is the latest proposal from Greens Minister Shane Rattenbury, as he looks to replicate the economic benefits to Tasmania from the controlled poppy industry.
For more information: See the article 

AMA and drug experts weigh in on ACT medical marijuana scheme
Canberra Times, 22 March 2015
The Australian Medical Association has expressed concern about a proposed medical marijuana scheme for the ACT, calling for more clinical research and for a national approach to cannabis being used for health outcomes.
For more information: See the article

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr backs medical marijuana
Canberra Times, 14 March 2015
Chief Minister Andrew Barr declared his in principle support for medical marijuana reform, but said a scheme currently being considered by a Legislative Assembly inquiry had serious flaws.
For more information: See the article

ACT Government raises health and law concerns about Shane Rattenbury’s medical marijuana plan
Canberra Times, 12 March 2015
The ACT government has raised serious concerns about a medical marijuana scheme proposed by Greens Minister Shane Rattenbury, saying public health could suffer if it is established and questioning the extent of clinical need and demand for cannabis treatment in Canberra.
For more information: See the article

Drug law reform group backs introduction of medical cannabis in the ACT
Canberra Times, 10 March 2015
Public hearings considering the use of marijuana for medical purposes will begin on Thursday, as a leading drug law reform advocacy group called for the ACT to become the first jurisdiction to establish a legal scheme.
For more information: See the article

Drug body criticises ‘narrow-minded’ debate on medical marijuana
Canberra Times, 6 March 2015
The ACT’s peak drug body has called on the government to legalise medical marijuana and criticised some practitioners for being too narrow-minded about reform.
For more information: See the article

Public Health Association backs medicinal cannabis
Canberra Times, 2 March 2015
Doctors should manage a tightly regulated, compassionate regime for the use of medicinal cannabis in Australia, a leading public health organisation has told an ACT inquiry.
For more information: See the article

Expert argues medical marijuana trials of little use
Canberra Times, 2 February 2015
Governments including the ACT have contributed to confusion over the use of medical marijuana by pursuing clinical trials of the substance, according to University of Melbourne expert Professor David Penington.
For more information: See the article

Medicinal cannabis: study finds Australians suffering chronic pain get more relief from cannabis than conventional medicines
Sydney Morning Herald, 26 January 2015
In a finding that is likely to further intensify the debate about medical marijuana use, the National Drug and Alcohol Centre researchers found people who used the illegal drug said it was more helpful than the highly addictive and potentially dangerous opioid medications.
For more information: See the article

ACT awaits details on NSW-led medical marijuana trial
Canberra Times, 26 December 2014
The ACT government is yet to finalise plans for its involvement in a New South Wales-led medicinal marijuana trial, which could see patients or researchers given access to the drug in Canberra.
For more information: See the article

NSW government to fund three trials of medical cannabis
Canberra Times, 21 December 2014
The NSW government expects to find out in the next few weeks if it will be able to import cannabis to be used in three medical trials, or if it will have to grow the marijuana itself.
For more information: See the article

Legalising medical cannabis: lessons from Canada’s policies
The Conversation, 28 November 2014
Nola Ries, Senior Lecturer, University of Newcastle
A bill to permit medical cannabis use in Australia is set for debate in Senate. If medical cannabis use is legalised, doctors could become gatekeepers between patients and a controversial drug.
Lessons from Canada – one of the first countries in the world to allow medical cannabis – can help Australian doctors prepare for treating people who want to use cannabis.
For more information: See the article

NSW Greens’ medical cannabis plan would allow epileptic children access
Sydney Morning Herald, 17 November 2014
The Greens have unveiled a proposal for legalising medical marijuana that would have the government growing its own supply and treating children with incurable epilepsy.
For more information: See the article

Decisions need to be made about medicinal cannabis
Sydney Morning Herald, 17 November 2014
The debate about medicinal cannabis in Australia has fallen into a deep hole.
For more information: See the article

Medical marijuana inquiry calls for public submissions on draft legislation
Canberra Times, 4 November 2014
An ACT Legislative Assembly committee conducting an inquiry into the use of medical cannabis in the community has called for public submissions.
For more information: See the article

Medical marijuana: Canberrans have their say on whether the drug should be legalised for medical use
ABC News, 4 November 2014
Canberra’s community has been invited to have a say about medical marijuana, as the ACT Government considers a bill to legalise its use.
For more information: See the article

Research supports benefits of medicinal cannabis
Canberra Times, 23 October 2014
Studies of the use of medicinal cannabis suggest it has measurable benefits, argues Dr Alex Wodak.
For more information: See the article

Medical marijuana advocates see only delays in clinical trials
Canberra Times, 14 October 2014
Moves by the ACT to join a Commonwealth-backed national clinical trial of medical cannabis being led by the NSW government have not satisfied calls from advocates of drug reform.
For more information: See the article

ACT Government to join national medical cannabis trial
Canberra Times, 14 October 2014
The rapidly shifting politics of medical cannabis will change dramatically on Tuesday as the ACT government signs up to a national clinical trial of the controversial health treatment.
For more information: See the article

Canberra to join medical marijuana trial
City News, 14 October 2014
Katy Gallagher has welcomed the announcement of a clinical trial of medicinal cannabis to be led by New South Wales.
For more information: See the article

NSW medical cannabis trial could expand interstate after COAG deal flags ‘nationwide approach’
ABC News, 14 October 2014
A national deal on a New South Wales trial of medicinal marijuana could open the door to its expansion to other states and territories, with several premiers expressing support for a nationwide approach to the issue.
For more information: See the article

Underground marijuana industry raises concern over pharmaceutical companies supplying medical crops
ABC News, 14 October 2014
With several states expressing support for clinical trials of medical marijuana, debate has begun over who will supply the drug.
For more information: See the article

Man calls for legalisation of medical marijuana, after buying it in ‘risky’ circumstances for dying wife
ABC News, 8 October 2014
Brendan says he broke the law, out of compassion, by buying cannabis for his dying wife to use.
For more information: See the article

NSW is blowing off ACT for a clinical trial on medical marijuana
Canberra Times, 7 October 2014
The New South Wales government won’t agree to allow the ACT to join an upcoming clinical trial of medical marijuana, despite calls from Chief Minister Katy Gallagher.
For more information: See the article

Medical cannabis trial: ACT Chief Minister calls for national approach
ABC News, 7 October 2014
The Federal Government should coordinate a national approach to the legalisation of cannabis for medical use, ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher has urged.
For more information: See the article

ACT could join NSW medical cannabis trial
Canberra Times, 6 October 2014
Chief Minister Katy Gallagher has called for the Abbott government to lead a national response to calls for the introduction of medical cannabis, and asked for the ACT to be part of an upcoming clinical trial in New South Wales.
For more information: See the article

ACT Government should supply medical cannabis: Rattenbury
Canberra Times, 23 September 2014
The ACT Government would supply medical cannabis to users under Greens MLA Shane Rattenbury’s vision of how legalised marijuana use would work in the territory.
For more information: See the article

Action needed on affordable housing, says outgoing ACT Shelter executive officer
Canberra Times, 22 September 2014
With a Legislative Assembly committee due to consider proposed laws to legalise marijuana for medical purposes in the ACT, experts in Canberra will host a public forum on the issue.
For more information: See the article

Medicinal cannabis ‘a miracle’ treatment for my daughter, mum tells Tas inquiry
ABC News, 19 September 2014
A Tasmanian mother has told a parliamentary inquiry how medicinal cannabis has miraculously improved the health of her nine-year-old daughter who suffers from a rare genetic disorder.
For more information: See the article

Tony Abbott backs legalisation of medical cannabis
Canberra Times, 17 September 2014
Prime Minister Tony Abbott has thrown his support behind the legalisation of cannabis for medical purposes.
For more information: See the article

Chief Minister kicks medical marijuana to the feds
CityNews, 17 September 2014
Katy Gallagher has thrown the subject of medical marijuana to the untender mercies of the Abbott Government.
For more information: See the article

Medicinal cannabis clinical trial to begin in NSW
Canberra Times, 16 September 2014
The legal use of cannabis by terminally ill adults in NSW is about to come a step closer with a clinical trial being established by the government.
For more information: See the article

Cross-border efforts on push for medical marijuana
Canberra Times, 12 September 2014
Greens minister Shane Rattenbury could reconsider his proposed model for the introduction of medical cannabis in the ACT, as a community consultation period on draft legislation comes to an end.
For more information: See the article

Medicinal cannabis needs support from the medical profession
Canberra Times, 9 September 2014
“I am the mother of a young man with a terminal illness. My son Daniel and I break the law regularly for him to access medicinal cannabis to treat and manage his debilitating cancer symptoms.”
For more information: See the article

National study seeks to clarify different approaches to policing cannabis
Canberra Times, 1 September 2014
One of Australia’s leading drug researchers has warned authorities have a limited understanding of how different approaches to policing cannabis possession affect individual users across the country.
For more information: See the article

ACT Government denies asking company for medical marijuana
Canberra Times, 28 August 2014
The ACT government has denied claims by a medical marijuana company that the government had contacted them to help organise the drug for chronically and terminally ill Canberrans.
For more information: See the article

Medical marijuana reforms to be considered by Legislative Assembly committee
Canberra Times, 7 August 2014
A Legislative Assembly committee will consider proposed laws allowing terminally and chronically ill Canberrans to grow marijuana and use the drug to alleviate their pain and symptoms.
For more information: See the article

Moore / The dying should have access to cannabis
City News, 6 August 2014
“The community should be rallying support for Greens Minister Shane Rattenbury’s proposed private member’s Bill to provide cannabis for people who are dying,” says political columnist Michael Moore.
For more information: See the article

Jensen / Thin end of the drugs law reform wedge
City News, 6 August 2014
When it comes to policy debates, it is always difficult to argue against emotion-based legislation. This is certainly the case for the Medicinal Cannabis Bill suggested by ACT Greens legislator Shane Rattenbury.
For more information: See the article

It’s Katy Gallagher’s call on medical cannabis now
Canberra Times, 1 August 2014
There is an absolute moral imperative for Katy Gallagher to have her colleagues pass Shane Rattenbury’s private member’s bill to legalise medical marijuana immediately, considering the little girl who was able to leave hospital after treatment despite the terminal prognosis before her treatment.
For more information: See the article

Man supplying cannabis to seriously ill toddler has house raided after writing to Chief Minister
ABC News, 1 August 2014
An ACT man who was providing liquid medical cannabis to the family of a seriously ill toddler has had his house raided by police, after writing to the Chief Minister to tell her the treatement was working.
For more information: See the article

Katy Gallagher hit with threats by medical marijuana campaigners
Canberra Times, 31 July 2014
ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher has dismissed internet threats levelled at her by medical marijuana campaigners, a day after revelations she reported a man to authorities for providing a 2½-year-old Sydney girl with cannabis oil.
For more information: See the article

Katy Gallagher acted rightly over cannabis use
Canberra Times, 31 July 2014
ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher was completely correct in drawing to the attention of her department and police information she had been given that a two-year-old child was being given cannabis oil as “treatment” for a developmental disorder.
For more information: See the article

Medical marijuana grower Marc Selan escapes conviction
Canberra Times, 31 July 2014
An unemployed dental technician who grew marijuana in his backyard to treat a debilitating disease has avoided a conviction after a magistrate  decided to take a “compassionate” approach.
For more information: See the article

Medicinal cannabis: delaying the inevitable?
Canberra Times, 31 July 2014
Australians with distressing symptoms from serious conditions are still unable to legally try to alleviate their symptoms with medicinal cannabis. The conventional medicines for these conditions often work but they are sometimes ineffective or produce unacceptable side effects.
For more information: See the article

Cannabis oil supplier defends providing mother with drugs
Canberra Times, 31 July 2014
The ACT’s medical marijuana debate found a name and a face as it was revealed a 2½-year-old girl suffering from a rare genetic disorder in Sydney had been treated using small doses of cannabis oil supplied by a Canberra man.
For more information: See the article

Medical marijuana supplier raided after tip off from Chief Minister
Canberra Times, 30 July 2014
Chief Minister Katy Gallagher has defended her decision to report the case of a 2½-year-old NSW girl receiving medical marijuana to treat a rare genetic disorder.
For more information: See the article

Giving medical marijuana the green light
Canberra Times, 27 July 2014
The medical use of cannabis was outlawed in Australia five decades ago, in an era when scientific knowledge was still embryonic. But times have changed and once again my view has had to change.
For more information: See the article

Gang-gang: Weeding out the facts on marijuana
Canberra Times, 22 July 2014
With marijuana suddenly in the news (there are calls for the ACT to legalise medicinal marijuana) our ears pricked up and our feet led us unerringly to advertised Marijuana on Main Street? public lecture at the ANU.
For more information: See the article

Goulburn woman’s desperate plea to legalise medical marijuana
Canberra Times, 21 July 2014
A young Goulburn woman battling an incurable illness has thrown her support behind a push to legalise medicinal marijuana, saying the move would drastically improve the lives of people like her and the terminally ill.
For more information: See the article

Australia has no reason to disallow medical cannabis use
The Conversation, 26 March 2014
Alex Wodak, Emeritus Consultant, St-Vincent’s Hospital, Darlington
Laurence Mather, Emeritus Professor, Anaesthesia, Northern Clinical School, University of Sydney
International acceptance of medicinal cannabis is growing because it can provide relief for people who can’t be sufficiently helped with current pharmaceutical drugs. But despite growing evidence of its usefulness in certain situations, medical use of cannabis remains illegal in Australia.
For more information: See the article