Australian politicians have approved a medical cannabis trial thanks to a little girl.

Two year old Cambrie Humphris suffers from 80-100 seizures per day. After a long list of failed treatments, her parents, who have been urging politicians to approve medical cannabis trials, are happy to let Cambrie take part in the research, looking to medical cannabis as a final hope to relieve their daughter’s suffering.

Cambrie’s mother, Belinda, had this to say: “Our hearts break every day for our disabled child, her sister and our family as a whole. We are grieving every day over what our child must endure.”

To my mind, this poor child seems to have a similar condition to Charlotte Figi, the young girl from Colorado who’s severe seizures crippled her development. Charlotte, you may recall, had such a successful response to cannabis oil that there is even a strain named for her now — “Charlotte’s Web.” I truly hope Cambrie benefits from her cannabis use as well.

The process will go as follows:

“…the Coalition supported testing of medical cannabis and would amend the law to enable trials to take place. An Expert Advisory Committee, composed of clinical and regulatory experts, would be appointed to work through the complex issues related to the trials. The Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act would be amended to make it easier to conduct clinical trials involving cannabis and similar highly regulated substances. Consideration would also be given to amending the legislation to remove the prohibition on cultivation of narcotic plants for therapeutic purposes, in the context of approved clinical trials. Allowing regulated cultivation for clinical trials in Victoria would help ensure the quality of the product being trialled was of an appropriate and assured standard.”

Health Minister David Davis commented, “this is the right way forward. Simply declaring something legal doesn’t make it safe. Our approach is grounded in the best available scientific evidence.”

This is good news, but trials need to go far, fast in order to really help people who need it now. It’s frustrating because I can go to any of the dozens of dispensaries near my home and see vials of the stuff that would likely bring significant relief to many, but, for one reason or another, they are unable to get it themselves.

In related news, also from Australia, fraudulent cannabis tinctures are being sold to unknowing people. As much as 40% of so called cannabis tinctures contained no cannabis at all and were primarily methylated spirits, alcohol and water. Of those remaining 60% that did contain cannabis, the concentration of THC varied wildly from just trace amounts to incredibly strong.

This news further illustrates the need for legalization and regulation. Much of the civilized world is struggling with outdated policies on marijuana and growing pains are evident.