Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey is pleased his government moved last year to allow the establishment of the Australian medical cannabis cultivation and manufacture scheme and made changes in November to allow medicinal cannabis to be prescribed by authorised specialist medical practitioners. This week Health Minister Greg Hunt has authorised the controlled importation of medical cannabis by approved providers to ensure supply until locally produced products become available.
“The Minister’s announcement means we can facilitate faster access by authorised prescribers to medicinal cannabis by improving the timelines of supply,” Mr Ramsey said.
“While this a step forward for a number of patients, there are a strict conditions and hurdles to be met before it becomes commonly used as a treatment for a number of ailments. Adoption of a product as a medicine under goes a number of clinical trials. These are currently underway and while we have many instances of wonderful results many patients may have to wait until the results of trials are released.
“There appears little doubt medicinal cannabis is a helpful treatment of severe epilepsy and acute pain and it will become a very useful tool in patient management in the future” Mr Ramsey said. “It cannot come fast enough for a number of people who have exhausted conventional treatments. I am keen to help facilitate the fastest possible implementation of recommended uses.
“This latest announcement on medicinal cannabis delivers action in ensuring supply while work continues on establishing the domestic cultivation and manufacturing industry.”
Media contact: Leonie Lloyd-Smith 08 8633 1744
February 22 2016
