NSW government not convinced by marijuana report

Updated

The New South Wales Government has hinted it is unlikely to allow terminally ill people to legally use small amounts of marijuana, despite a cross-party parliamentary committee unanimously recommending the move.

A parliamentary inquiry has recommended that terminally ill patients and people with AIDS be allowed to legally possess and use up to 15 grams of marijuana for medical purposes.

Only the patients themselves would be legally allowed to use the drug and their names would be kept on a register after their treating specialist certified they had a relevant illness.

We've put all those (issues) aside to address the issue of real human suffering. NSW Labor MP Adam Searle

The committee has also recommended the state's health minister write to her federal counterpart to express support for the development of more approved and affordable cannabis-based pharmaceuticals.

One of the Labor MPs on the committee, Adam Searle, says it is significant the report was unanimous.

"There are many issues that divide us as politicians," he said.

"We've put all those aside to address the issue of real human suffering.

"It's a short-term solution until such time as pharmaceutical cannabinoid-based products are more widely commercially available."

However, Acting Health Minister Kevin Humphries has indicated it is the issue of supply that is a stumbling block.

He says a medical marijuana trial announced by Labor premier Bob Carr in 2003 fell over because those concerns could not be addressed.

Mr Humphries says the Government will consider the recommendations, but would not agree to anything that will weaken the ability of police to crack down on drugs.

Campaigners in favour of the medical use of marijuana say they are not surprised by the report's findings.

Hemp Party president Michael Balderstone says it is an encouraging move.

"It's unanimous from the committee, which I'd have been surprised if it wasn't," he said.

"They had so many people plead with them on compassionate grounds and they've been touched.

"Clearly they're recommending the NSW Government makes a start, and that would be wonderful.

"Even if it's a tiny crack in the door."

Topics: state-parliament, aids-and-hiv, pain, nsw, lismore-2480

First posted