The Liberal Government in Tasmania is being left behind on the issue of medicinal cannabis.
The Andrews Labor Government in Victoria has today confirmed it will legalise access to medicinal cannabis products from 2017.
Shadow Attorney-General Lara Giddings said it was a compassionate move from a progressive Labor government, which further serves to show how far behind the times the Hodgman Liberal Government is on this issue.
“Congratulations to Premier Daniel Andrews for taking the next step to legalise access to medicinal cannabis,” Ms Giddings said.
“This will ease concerns of users of medicinal cannabis in Victoria, who live with the fear the Police will knock on their door to arrest them for using a drug that provides them with relief from, for example, chronic pain, cancer treatment induced nausea or epileptic fits.
“The Liberal Government in Tasmania is being left further behind on this crucial issue,” Ms Giddings said.
“Other jurisdictions are showing far more compassion than the Government here, who have failed to respond adequately to the issue of medicinal cannabis.
“Minister Michael Ferguson was dragged kicking and screaming to the issue and the Premier has failed to show any real leadership on the issue either.
“The very least they could have done was to assist Tasmanians participate in the interstate trials by offering to partner with other states.
“However, considering the wealth of evidence from across the world to support the use of medicinal cannabis, there is no reason why they couldn’t follow the lead of Premier Andrews and legalise medicinal cannabis in Tasmania too.
“Not only is there a medical benefit for patients, but also an economic benefit for farmers.
“Tasmania should be pursuing opportunities to grow and manufacture medicinal cannabis, however, with the slow response from the Hodgman Government we risk losing this investment and jobs to Victoria.”
The Labor Party is holding a forum tomorrow (7 October 2015) on medicinal cannabis with Shadow Assistant Minister for Health Stephen Jones, Federal Member for Franklin Julie Collins, Senator Anne Urquhart and Shadow Attorney-General Lara Giddings at Parliament House at 9.30am:
http://oldtt.pixelkey.biz/index.php?/pr-article/parliament-house/
Lara Giddings MP Shadow Attorney-General
