Story highlights Narcotics Drugs Act will be amended to allow the cultivation of medical cannabis

Follows a lengthy campaign to allow the drug to be used to alleviate pain

(CNN) The Australian government has announced plans to allow cannabis to be legally grown for medical and scientific purposes.

Under current laws, marijuana is classified as an illegal drug, and while penalties vary from state to state, people who grow, use, possess or sell it can be fined or sent to prison.

In a statement Saturday, the government said the Narcotics Drugs Act 1967 would be amended to allow the drug to be grown locally, without breaching the country's international obligations as a signatory to the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961.

"This Government is incredibly sympathetic to the suffering of those Australians with debilitating illnesses and we want to enable access to the most effective medical treatments available," Health Minister Sussan Ley said in a statement.

JUST WATCHED Marijuana as medicine Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Marijuana as medicine 04:18

Read More