Shadow Attorney General Lara Giddings has welcomed the announcement from the Federal Government to legalise growing of medicinal cannabis in Australia.
“This is a major step forward towards a legal Australian medical cannabis industry,” Ms Giddings said.
“To allow for licensed growers is a sensible and progressive decision.
“We will now have growers and manufacturers of medicinal cannabis licensed in Australia.
“While there are some cannabis products already available under prescription, these are limited and do not help all patients.
“My one concern about the announcement overnight is around how narrow the scope for medicinal cannabis products will be as trials progress in Victoria and NSW.
“I just hope it will be legal for someone like Nicole Cowles to administer a cannabis oil tincture to her daughter Alice, rather than a nasal spray or other forms of the drugs currently legally available on prescription.
“The law changes must be based in common sense and not exclude people who genuinely need treatment.
“At a state level, the Liberal Government has to now make sure there are no hurdles in the way for farmers who want to grow medicinal cannabis.
“If legislation is required, it should urgently be brought before the parliament in the final two sitting weeks of this year to ensure we are not left further behind.
“This can be a win-win situation for Tasmania if we are prepared to capitalise on it.”
Lara Giddings MP Shadow Attorney-General
