T.G.A. Application for Medical Cannabis

[littlbit]

Special Access Scheme

Summary: The Special Access Scheme refers to arrangements which provide for the import and/or supply of an unapproved therapeutic good for a single patient, on a case by case basis.

 

 

T.G.A. Form

http://www.tga.gov.au/docs/pdf/unapproved/sascatb.pdf

 

 

I have already written to the State and Federal Health Ministers and asked for the list of approved doctors and suppliers as guarinteed under -

 

First Schedule—Single Convention On Narcotic Drugs, 1961

Section 4

PREAMBLE

The Parties,

Concerned with the health and welfare of mankind,

Recognizing that the medical use of narcotic drugs continues to be indispensable for the relief of pain and suffering and that adequate provision must be made to ensure the availability of narcotic drugs for such purposes,

 

who else is willing to ask the same question?

[ianTE]

Is there an Australian import company (overseas Austalian approved) that imports medical cannabis?

Well it does say "Company/Supplier" on the form could you say my supplier is the guy up the road maybe

 

Lets know how you go

[WantDaChronic]

depending on what you get for a reply im willing to give it a go. my medical conditions are much better treated with cannabis than the pharmacuticals i have been put on, but i dont really want to draw any attention to myself unless there is a fair chance it could work out better for me

[ianTE]

http://www.tga.gov.au/hp/sas.htm

More info

 

If Cannabis is allowed in the SAS and if there is not an Oz supplier then you have to get around these fellas

AQIS

 

I think this is ment for commercial drugs so THC pills would apply only quess though

Edited July 18, 2008 by ianTE

[littlbit]

ianTE thank you for that I always seem to assume that everyone knows what is said regarding this plant in the TGA and how it is listed.

 

I do not expect to get a response from the ministers as they do not have either list I have asked for, however it is just another addition to our case starting in 4 weeks.

[WantDaChronic]

i was looking at those sites not long ago to see if it would be worth the time and effort and to be honest i dont think getting raw cannabis imported is very probable at all getting the pharmacutical extracts like sativex on the other hand wouldnt be all that hard. just need to get a doctor to fill out a form saying what your conditions are, what the active ingredient in the drug he wants you to have is, where to get it from, etc. and then you need to get the proper papers from the TGA to import it. you can get 3 months worth at a time and upto 15 months worth in a 12 month period. even states that you cant sell the drugs you are importing yet you can give them to family members

 

the main problem with getting cannabis imported is the anti-drug treaties signed by most nations closely followed by customs and quarantine i dont think it would be impossible to get provided somewhere in the world someone was able to start a business selling cannabis legally and the nation they lived in didnt prohibit cannabis leaving the country, its just finding them and getting everything in order thats going to be the tricky part. not to mention the fact that if any media caught a wiff of it you'd definatey make the news and your life would be turned upside down

 

i think over the next few weeks i'll suss out pharmacutical companies that are working with cannabis to see what is available. even if i were only able to import a small vial of sativex or something every few months i imagine a drop on a cone or 2 here and there would really help me out not to mention how stoned i should get from doing it

[littlbit]

OK lets face facts if the Government is in breach of the Single Convention by ignoring the MUST BE MADE AVAILABLE, then by demanding that they provide the two lists puts them on notice that they are about to have a real problem if it gets out to the public that they are in breach of both of the UN treaties ie: the Single Convention and the Human rights accord as has been found in other countries.

 

So the more people who apply for the lists, the more chance we have of making them abide by these treaties. So for all of you who are sitting back waiting to see the outcome of what I have done why do you not do the same. If you really want the plant removed from the drugs list then it takes more than just one or two people to get up of their backsides and get into the fight.

 

I would like to think that I live in a country of men who will stand up and fight for what is right against unjust laws and make our governments accountable, rather than sit back and hide.

 

PLEASE stop making excuses and start making demands of our governments, the legal profession and the media to tell the truth and also live up to the treaties we have been forced to live under.

[Guest niall]

i was looking at those sites not long ago to see if it would be worth the time and effort and to be honest i dont think getting raw cannabis imported is very probable at all

 

NIDA schwag has been imported for driving research and for testing a few other anti-cannabis hypotheses in Australia.

 

getting the pharmacutical extracts like sativex on the other hand wouldnt be all that hard. just need to get a doctor to fill out a form

 

Getting a Doctor to fill out that form and put himself on the line is the real problem, at least until local trials are done.

 

the main problem with getting cannabis imported is the anti-drug treaties signed by most nations closely followed by customs and quarantine

 

It's perfectly legal to import and prescribe and use cannabis for medical purposes, the Treaties are very specific about this - cannabis MUST be made available for medical and research purposes. Australia is in violation of the Treaties, and I honestly believe that lightning and littlbit's upcoming constitutional challenge will be successful. We're potentially looking at Australia's cannabis laws being stricken from the record and Parliament having 1 year to pass new laws that don't contravene our Constitutional rights.

 

i dont think it would be impossible to get provided somewhere in the world someone was able to start a business selling cannabis legally and the nation they lived in didnt prohibit cannabis leaving the country, its just finding them and getting everything in order thats going to be the tricky part. not to mention the fact that if any media caught a wiff of it you'd definatey make the news and your life would be turned upside down

 

Switzerland is having a referandum in November to legalise cannabis. With the recent victories in Italy, Brazil and related events in Peru and elsewhere, the recent Beyond 2008 UN NGO forum... 2009 is shaping up to be an interesting year. I believe lightning and littlbit's case is going to be a major strategic win at a global level, it will set an influencing precedent and build upon other recent wins. Simultaneously Canada has almost proven the laws have not existed since 2002, another 6-9 months and it should all be over there.

 

I'm starting to believe cannabis prohibition will end globally around 2010 to 2012. Time to start preparing and be ready for the legal marketplace imho.

[littlbit]

Thanks for your input Niall only one month to go to see the outcome of our argument

[grace]

I have already written to the State and Federal Health Ministers and asked for the list of approved doctors and suppliers

 

who else is willing to ask the same question?

 

There is no list. Your own GP or specialist can seek approval.

 

Some things that may support your application:

 

State Health Approval

 

Ask your GP to use the application form that is generally used for controlled drugs (S8 drugs).

 

Include cover letters from both you and your doctor requesting approval.

 

Include any specialist reports and any other additional information or supporting documentation about your condition or circumstances that may support your application. This may include:

 

- cannabis research material in general

- cannabis research relating to your specific condition

- your drug history with any adverse reactions that you may have experienced from pharmaceutical drugs if relevant

- prescribing information relating to the cannabis product you are seeking to import i.e.

- Solvay Pharmaceuticals - Marinol prescribing information for medical practitioners at <http://www.marinol.com/prescribe.html>

- GW Pharmaceuticals - Sativex - - Research & Development and Clinical Trials Review at <http://www.marinol.com/prescribe.html>

- Office of Medicinal Cannabis, Dutch Government - Bediol; Bedrocan or Bedrobinol at <http://www.cannabisbureau.nl/eng/>

- a statement from yourself providing details why you need to use cannabis and why other drugs are unsuitable

- a letter giving your informed consent to use cannabis

- statements from family or friends if relevant

- legal precedents

 

Appeal avenues varies from state to state and time limits may apply.

 

Understand your appeal avenues - most appeals are on points of law so it is important to include all supporting information with the original application.

 

Commonwealth (TGA Application)

 

The approval letter received from state health is then included with the TGA application which your doctor needs to complete.

 

Include all supporting documents that you provided to state health with your TGA application.

 

Customs clearance certification is provided with TGA approval.

 

Good luck with it.

 

grace

[Mr Biggles]

You might find this a bit presumptuous as a first post, but what the heck?

 

[...]

 

I have already written to the State and Federal Health Ministers and asked for the list of approved doctors and suppliers as guarinteed under -

 

First Schedule—Single Convention On Narcotic Drugs, 1961

Section 4

PREAMBLE

The Parties,

Concerned with the health and welfare of mankind,

Recognizing that the medical use of narcotic drugs continues to be indispensable for the relief of pain and suffering and that adequate provision must be made to ensure the availability of narcotic drugs for such purposes,

 

who else is willing to ask the same question?

 

I think you might be misinterpreting the role and scope of UN conventions and their relationship to Australian law. Australia was party to the signing of the document in question, but this means little unless it is ratified with Australian legislation. The preamble, even if the document has been ratified is not enforceable, as the preamble is a series of aspirational statements. This is why the Howard government was prepared to recognise indigenous sovereignty in the preamble to the Australian Constitution - because it effectively means nothing in law - and why that same preamble also lists New Zealand is a state of Australia, while it patently is not.

 

The actual article dealing with cannabis in the convention -

 

 

ARTICLE 28

Control of cannabis

 

1. #If a Party permits the cultivation of the cannabis plant for the production

of cannabis or cannabis resin, it shall apply thereto the system of controls as

provided in article 23 respecting the control of the opium poppy.

 

2. This Convention shall not apply to the cultivation of the cannabis plant

exclusively for industrial purposes (fibre and seed) or horticultural purposes.

 

3. The Parties shall adopt such measures as may be necessary to prevent the

misuse of, and illicit traffic in, the leaves of the cannabis plant.

 

 

# if a party permits... end of story, Australia as a party does not permit cultivation.

 

If you look at the convention in it's express intent (the control of narcotics without denying genuine need for pain relief), Australia already lives up to the spirit of the section of the preamble you have quoted. Essential narcotic pain relief is available on prescription from any GP in Australia, just not cannabis derivatives.

 

On a last point, this isn't something that can be challenged via the constitution as Australia's constitution does not provide a vehicle for citizens to force the government to ratify or abide by external treaties.

 

An interesting approach though,

 

B