HEALTH experts warn Australia is falling behind the rest of the world by turning its back on the potential medical benefits of cannabis.

It comes as the doctor asked to treat a sick Victorian boy said he was disappointed by the results of conventional medicine.

But Dr Paul Carter has not been able to prescribe or ­recommend the cannabis for fear he could get into trouble with authorities.

Mernda couple Cassie Batten and Rhett Wallace travelled to Lancefield so Dr Carter could examine three-year-old Cooper and monitor his progress.

The Department of Human Services and police continue to investigate the couple after it was revealed they had added cannabis oil to Cooper’s milk to treat his epilepsy and other conditions.

Victorian Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews wants to legalise the use of medical cannabis in exceptional circumstances.

But Health Minister David Davis refused to be drawn into the argument, saying only that drug approval was a matter for the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

EDITORIAL: TIME FOR NEW DRUGS DEBATE

FAMILY FACES DHS HOME INSPECTION FOR USING CANNABIS OIL

TGA spokeswoman Kay McNiece said there was a clear distinction between regulated pharmaceutical products and the use of crude cannabis to ­relieve symptoms.

“Decriminalisation of personal use of cannabis where there are clear compassionate circumstances is an option which State and Territory Governments can pursue under their respective drugs and poisons control legislation should they choose to do so,” she said.

While the TGA has approved the use of cannabis-derived drug Sativex for conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Ms McNiece said the TGA was not aware of any drug companies seeking approval for other cannabis-related drugs.

The NSW Government and Opposition have both giving provisional support for legalising the medical use of cannabis under strict controls, while several European nations and 23 states in the US have already authorised medical marijuana.

Marijuana has been widely explored as a treatment for cancer, with some scientist believing it can cause cancer cells to self destruct, potentially make tumours less resistant to treatment, as well as easing chemotherapy side effects.

Clinical use of medical marijuana has also centred on its use to treat chronic pain, while research is continuing on whether it can treat Multiple Sclerosis and Cerebral Palsy by reducing muscle tightening.

Cannabis has also been used to combat epilepsy and lesson seizures and is being explored for its impact on Alzheimers disease.

Australian Medical Association Victorian president Dr Tony Bartone backed moves to legalise medicinal cannabis in controlled circumstances.

“There is a growing body of evidence on cannabis as an effective treatment for some types of chronic pain, the control of muscle spasticity, some forms of nausea and as an appetite-stimulant in patients with weight loss due to cancer or HIV,” Dr Bartone said.

“AMA Victoria acknowledges that cannabis is used legally for these medical purposes in places such as Canada, the USA, the UK and Germany.”

Having researched the medical use of marijuana and cannabis for the past 15 years, Dr Jonathon Arnold of the University of Sydney said historical and political stigma was preventing research needed to safeguard and approve emerging medical uses for cannabis in Australia.

“The scientific evidence is pretty strong and you would have to take it on a case-by-case basis,” Dr Arnold said.

“It is held back by stigma and conservative approaches and concerns that the voting populous won’t approve of the use of an illegal drug.

“When it comes to medical marijuana we are way behind the US and other countries such as the Netherlands where there are companies which are growing cannabis and providing it to patients in a smart way.”

Drug specialist Dr David Caldicott of the Canberra’s Calvary Hospital supports a tightly controlled legalising of medicinal cannabis, warning thousands of Australians are already using marijuana to overcome symptoms without the scientific checks to see what works.

Dr Caldicott said international studies had established a scientific base for the use of cannabis in treating pain and other symptoms, which he hoped would not all have to be reproduced in Australia.

“The delay is not because we need more science, the delay is reconciling the corner in which people have painted themselves as far as policy is concerned,” Dr Caldicott said.

“This is not a free-for-all, but for people who have a terminal illness who would receive some relieve I think it is quite clear.

“The opportunity is here in Australia to have a fairly strict system where it would be decided by people who are not just practitioners but have knowledge of product and people have to be licensed to use it.”