Robert Celt
New Member
The Access to Medicinal Cannabis Bill 2015, passed on Tuesday, means Victoria is the first Australian state to permit medicinal marijuana.
The Government said it would only be available to people in exceptional circumstances, with children suffering from severe epilepsy the first to access the medicine, in early 2017.
One mother who has been campaigning for the medicine to be legalised said the process was too slow and too exclusive.
Cheri O'Connell, of Mia Mia in central Victoria, said medicinal marijuana had helped her son Sean and daughter Tara, who both suffer from forms of epilepsy.
She said her family was dealing with dozens of seizures a day, until both children began taking medicinal cannabis.
"[We've had] three years without a seizure," she said.
But Ms O'Connell said the legislation was too restrictive on who could use medicinal cannabis, and what products could be used.
She said she probably would not be allowed to legally use the product her children had been treated with.
"The product's there and ready," she said.
"The company we are working with has done everything possible to meet all the Government regulations, it's under all the food standards, it's ready to be shipped internationally."
She was also critical of the restriction to limit initial use to children – but not adults – with severe epilepsy.
"By the time this legislation comes into place, my son will be 15, so what, in three years' time he would then be kicked off the program?" she said.
"What about the kids now who are 18, 19 – or even the 30- or 40-year-olds that are enduring hundreds of seizures a day? Just because of their age I don't believe their seizures are any less worthy."
Office of Medicinal Cannabis to help doctors with new laws
Authorities in Victoria will trial a cannabis crop in a undisclosed location.
The crop will grow the marijuana to be manufactured into medicine, which will then be available to children with severe epilepsy from early 2017.
The newly created Office of Medicinal Cannabis will help doctors and GPs understand the new laws, and help people find out if they are eligible to take the medicine.
The Government will set up an independent advisory committee to deal with what cannabis products should be made available, and which patients should be eligible.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: AU: Mother Treating Children For Epilepsy Says Access To Drug Should Be Expanded
Author: Tom Nightingale
Contact: ABC
Photo Credit: Alessandro Bianchi
Website: ABC
The Government said it would only be available to people in exceptional circumstances, with children suffering from severe epilepsy the first to access the medicine, in early 2017.
One mother who has been campaigning for the medicine to be legalised said the process was too slow and too exclusive.
Cheri O'Connell, of Mia Mia in central Victoria, said medicinal marijuana had helped her son Sean and daughter Tara, who both suffer from forms of epilepsy.
She said her family was dealing with dozens of seizures a day, until both children began taking medicinal cannabis.
"[We've had] three years without a seizure," she said.
But Ms O'Connell said the legislation was too restrictive on who could use medicinal cannabis, and what products could be used.
She said she probably would not be allowed to legally use the product her children had been treated with.
"The product's there and ready," she said.
"The company we are working with has done everything possible to meet all the Government regulations, it's under all the food standards, it's ready to be shipped internationally."
She was also critical of the restriction to limit initial use to children – but not adults – with severe epilepsy.
"By the time this legislation comes into place, my son will be 15, so what, in three years' time he would then be kicked off the program?" she said.
"What about the kids now who are 18, 19 – or even the 30- or 40-year-olds that are enduring hundreds of seizures a day? Just because of their age I don't believe their seizures are any less worthy."
Office of Medicinal Cannabis to help doctors with new laws
Authorities in Victoria will trial a cannabis crop in a undisclosed location.
The crop will grow the marijuana to be manufactured into medicine, which will then be available to children with severe epilepsy from early 2017.
The newly created Office of Medicinal Cannabis will help doctors and GPs understand the new laws, and help people find out if they are eligible to take the medicine.
The Government will set up an independent advisory committee to deal with what cannabis products should be made available, and which patients should be eligible.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: AU: Mother Treating Children For Epilepsy Says Access To Drug Should Be Expanded
Author: Tom Nightingale
Contact: ABC
Photo Credit: Alessandro Bianchi
Website: ABC
