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.

[Naycha]

.................................... Cannabis is a recreational drug, it alters the normal state, and has addictive qualities. Legalise the plant medicinally, in its natural form, half of Australia will be ringing in sick the next day, and going to the quack with symptoms requiring cannabis relief.

............................................

 

Can you please direct me to evidence of the 'addictive qualities' of Cannabis. I think you are confusing addiction and habit forming. The majority of Pharmaceutical drugs 'alter the normal state'.

 

Naycha

[mjbarratt]

It's a great start to actually have a recommendation for terminally illness patients to access cannabis. But this will only be a tiny portion of those who use cannabis medicinally, which includes mainly chronically ill patients. I'm yet to read through the full report but I'll be interested in what time they give the cultivation aspect of the matter.

 

All in all though, it could have been worse. I'm glad they are recommending some kind of access of 'raw' cannabis for medicinal purposes.

[bitterman]

Interesting that AIDS and not HIV are mentioned. It sure is a small victory but it does seem to have a bias towards Sativex/Dronabinol over herbal (recommendations mention it's still illegal to procure).

[The Stoned Jester]

just heard a blip of news on JJJ .. it didn't sound too promising - they are going to ignore a large part of hearing and only 15g ( .. what a day?) and the supplier can still be charged?!?!.. and once again some muppet popped up and said about allowing pharmaceutical companies to refine and develop their products more.

 

i know news can be biased but yeah didn't sound too good.

[bitterman]

Out of interest, 15g is the cannabis caution threshold

[burner]

Can you please direct me to evidence of the 'addictive qualities' of Cannabis. I think you are confusing addiction and habit forming.

May have been a bit hasty in using the word addictive, thanks for the correction:-) The majority of Pharmaceutical drugs 'alter the normal state'. Not to mention the physical state aswell. But they're approved!? My opinion on cannabis has not changed, just the opinion of myself as a cannabis user. It needs to be legalised for medicinal needs, but also recreationally as an alternative to alcohol, which is more harmful to the health, and more likely to be a catalyst for violence in a social setting.

If government had common sense, which unfortunately, is obviously for commoners like us!?, then they would see the stats for what they are, realise that cannabis is not even a tenth as dangerous as alcohol or tobacco, and de-criminalise/legalise, and leave us commoners to be happy, with an appreciation for the leaders of our nation, the ones us commoners put there in the first place.

 

[salpon]

Very interesting read and lots of quote-worthy material in the full report. The recommendations are very conservative but it is a small step in the right direction. 

[Faith]

Can you please direct me to evidence of the 'addictive qualities' of Cannabis. I think you are confusing addiction and habit forming.

May have been a bit hasty in using the word addictive, thanks for the correction:-) The majority of Pharmaceutical drugs 'alter the normal state'. Not to mention the physical state aswell. But they're approved!? My opinion on cannabis has not changed, just the opinion of myself as a cannabis user. It needs to be legalised for medicinal needs, but also recreationally as an alternative to alcohol, which is more harmful to the health, and more likely to be a catalyst for violence in a social setting.

If government had common sense, which unfortunately, is obviously for commoners like us!?, then they would see the stats for what they are, realise that cannabis is not even a tenth as dangerous as alcohol or tobacco, and de-criminalise/legalise, and leave us commoners to be happy, with an appreciation for the leaders of our nation, the ones us commoners put there in the first place.

 

That's the thing burner-they do realise.  They know and they choose the other way. Legalisation would destroy alcohol tax revenue, pharma revenue and revenue after revenue eliminating the destructive world created pastimes and enjoying the fruits of God's gifts and yes it is a hard rain gonna fall.  They know the Truth but don't want it-jus like Luci-cos that's who pull their strings.

 

Peace to yuo always. v

 

*it is addictive in the same context as eating salt and vinegar chips is addictive.  Pre-emptive legislation isrampant in this country-from plastic beer glasses to car mods- How many od's were there from Panadol or aspirin or vanilla for that matter?  need a shovel and barrow to scrape up all the shit they utter

[meddle]

So from what  I heard on ABC radio yesterday, The report has a majority support for legalisation of medicinal cannabis for terminally ill patients........and a recomendation that it not be made legal so that it doesnt interfere whith cops and there war on drugs???  haha waste of tax payer dollars right there

 

Cant bring myself to read it now after hearing that

Edited May 15, 2013 by meddle

[lifestylez]

The story has made it to all the major newspapers which is great (just go to google news and search for 'nsw cannabis').

 

Here's the news.com.au version:

 

http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health-fitness/medicinal-cannabis-considered-in-nsw/story-fneuzlbd-1226639546414