PREMIER Campbell Newman has called on federal health authorities to investigate the possible trial of medicinal cannabis.

Mr Newman yesterday said he had an open mind on the issue and would like to see its use explored.

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"I am perfectly prepared to accept that hemp has potential to create drugs or treatments that might have a medical benefit for people," he said.

"I believe this is something the Therapeutic Goods Administration or the National Health and Medical Research Council should be looking at."

Mr Newman said patients were treated daily in hospitals with drugs derived from opium, which also makes heroin.

His comments come after maverick LNP backbencher Jason Woodforth called on his parliamentary colleagues to back such a trial following a case in Victoria where a young epileptic girl made a miraculous recovery after her mother treated her with medicinal cannabis sourced from Nimbin.

Yesterday, Mr Woodforth welcomed Mr Newman's support and said he hoped more of his colleagues would be of the same mind when he raised the issue at next month's LNP party room meeting.

"An open mind is exactly what us politicians should have," Mr Woodforth said.

"I'll certainly be raising it in the party room, talking to MPs and saying: 'Look, what's your thoughts?' "

Mr Woodforth said some of his colleagues had contacted him yesterday after he went public with his plan to push for a trial and described the ­reaction as "overwhelmingly positive".

Mr Newman said he did not have a problem with his backbencher raising the issue but ultimately it was not a call for the state.

"It's not for us in Queensland to make a call on this, it's for those national bodies," the Premier said.