A Greens bill that would remove the barriers blocking fast-track access to imported and Australian-grown medicinal cannabis for terminally ill patients, has passed the Senate.



In June Green's leader Richard Di Natale introduced a disallowance motion that would amend changes made by former health minister Sussan Ley to the Category A Special Access Scheme.

Ley's changes effectively removed access through Category A, which is a pathway usually reserved for the terminally ill.

The disallowance motion was heavily backed in parliament, with the Greens, One Nation, Labor, and independent senators Jacqui Lambie, Derryn Hinch, David Leyonhjelm and Lucy Gichuhi passing it 40-30.



Days after the motion was passed, the Office of Drug Control (ODC) updated the Health Department website, directing suppliers of medicinal cannabis to ignore the Senate's decision. A letter from Darren Jones of the ODC said importers could only supply to patients through Category B of the Special Access Scheme, a much more lengthy and arduous process.

On Thursday the Senate passed a private senators' bill from Di Natale that would secure terminally ill patient access through Category A, and ensure Australian-made cannabis products as well as imported were accessible.

Pauline Hanson, leader of One Nation, said the government was "making criminals out of caring mums and dads".



"This is a miracle drug, and this monumental change will be remembered long into the future," she said.



The bill was supported by Labor, the Greens, the Nick Xenophon Team, and independent senators Jacquie Lambie, David Leyonhjelm and Derryn Hinch.

The fate of the bill in the House of Representatives — where the government has a one seat majority and therefore can determine the agenda — is unknown. It's unlikely to come up for debate until 2018.

But Di Natale hopes One Nation's support will wedge marginal National and Liberal MPs into crossing the floor to support the measure, which has huge support among the Australian population.

Di Natale said the government's ignorance on medicinal cannabis was leaving patients to suffer.

“It is simple cruelty from this government," he said. "These patients are dying and their doctors believe medicinal cannabis may alleviate their suffering, but the government is stopping them from getting it."

Di Natale has requested a meeting with health minister Greg Hunt to discuss the bill.



“The next step is to get this through the lower house and all we need is one or two MPs who say they support medicinal cannabis to back it up with their vote," Di Natale said.