NSW parliamentary inquiry into medical cannabis - due Feb 15

[mjbarratt]

I thought contributors to this part of OZStoners would be very interested in this inquiry. Here is a quote from NSW parliament media release:

 

On 22 November 2012, the NSW Legislative Council referred an Inquiry into the medical use of cannabis to General Purpose Standing Committee No. 4. The Committee, chaired by the Hon Sarah Mitchell MLC of The Nationals, includes representatives of the Australian Labor Party, the Greens and the Liberal Party.

 

The motion to refer the Inquiry to General Purpose Standing Committee No. 4 was put forward by Labor member the Hon Luke Foley MLC, and was agreed to without opposition from Council members.

 

The Committee Chair, Mrs Mitchell said, 'The Committee will be examining the safety and efficacy of cannabis for medical purposes as well as considering if and how cannabis should be supplied for medical use. In addition, the Inquiry will investigate the legal implications of cannabis use for medical purposes, as well as any other related issues.'

 

'There is a diverse collection of views held on this issue by the community, and the Committee wishes to hear from the widest possible range of stakeholders.'

 

Submissions are now being called for by the Committee from interested organisations and individuals. The closing date for submissions in Friday 15 February 2013.

 

The Committee will to hold two Sydney hearings, in March 2013. Detailed information about the dates and times of these hearings will be advertised on the Committee website following the closing date for submissions. The Committee is scheduled to report to the House by 14 May 2013.

 

For further information about the Inquiry, including its terms of reference, and for more on how to make a submission, please visit the Committee's website at: www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/gpsc4, or call the Committee Secretariat on (02) 9230 3081

 

Click here to lodge your submission - before 15 Feb 2013!

 

And if you haven't already, you can also complete our anonymous study of Australian cannabis growers. We will be using this information to make an official submission to the inquiry so this is another way you can have your voice heard.

[Ford Fairlane]

I quite liked Tony Bowers evidence, I felt that entire section really encapsulated the real issue, that is,  it is all about compassion and helping people with medical conditions.

 

On the other hand, the cynic in me quite enjoyed the way the head of the NSW drug squad (the bloke who organizes the eradication program) showed himself for the uninformed twit that he is. Here is one of the the first sentences to came out of his mouth "It appears there is some evidence that cannabis does have some therapeutic qualities, in particular in regards to pain relief and also suppressing appetite in cancer patients and other patients with chronic pain, et

cetera."

[The Stoned Jester]

wow that was a massive read .... o_O;

many good points and some stupid ones too - some of the research they are doing i didn't even know about.

and i like how they seemed to deny the existence of the special access plan or claiming to never heard of it it's part of the government websites TGA http://www.tga.gov.au/hp/access-sas.htm

 

also found on the webpage the rundown of the next meeting

http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/committee.nsf/0/81dda6e5a75fa950ca257ac6001af03a/$FILE/Hearing%20Schedule%20-%20Use%20of%20cannabis%20for%20medical%20purposes%20-%2018%20March%202013.pdf

this will be part 2 .. will be interesting what old copeland has to say

[Chato]

Some absolute pearlers in there that should be aired

 

This link is exactly what I mean as looking to the U.S for examples.

 

peace

c

[mjbarratt]

Here are all the submissions, now published on NSW parliament website.

 

Here is the transcript of the first day of hearings - includes HEMP party, Cancer Voices, etc. Very interesting!

 

I offered to be at the 2nd day but they said they will just use our submission as background. Main reason is that they want to get to the bottom of the legal implications of medicinal cannabis and the health implications of medicinal cannabis, with our research into cannabis cultivation for medical use not directly addressing either of those.

 

Our submission is now online here.

 

Next week the following people will be giving verbal evidence:

10.15 am

Dr Saxon Smith

Mr Andrew Took

Australian Medical Association

 

11.15 am

Professor Michael Cousins

Pain Management Research Institute

 

11.45 am

Professor Jan Copeland

National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre

 

1.30 pm

Mr Paul O’Grady Individual

 

2.00 pm

Ms Margaret Hall

Mr Ben Mostyn

Australian Drug Law Reform Initiative

 

2.45 pm

Dr David Phillips

Mr Graeme Mitchell

FamilyVoice Australia

[mjbarratt]

Remember this is a public hearing - anyone can attend. Put your best shirt on and take a trip down to parliament house to see for yourself how these things work

[Ford Fairlane]

Thanks for the links MJ, I have to say I am surprised at how few submissions have been made

[Ford Fairlane]

thanks for the link puka - it's an interesting read for sure ... i got to page 17 and fell asleep ..... must consume caffeine and read the other 60 odd pages

No probs TSJ..  Sure is a lengthy read..  but well worth it IMO

[MongyMan]

Monday 18th March 2013 Public Hearing

[The Stoned Jester]

is a transcript available for the 2nd one, that would be awesome thanks!

[Ford Fairlane]

http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/Prod/parlment/committee.nsf/0/b6675e4fbdd56942ca257b330020a1a6/$FILE/Uncorrected%20transcript%2018%20March%202013.pdf this should be it I think tsj

 

Uncorrected transcript 18 March 2013.pdf

 

Edited March 20, 2013 by MongyMan
Added download of transcript