AN elected Tasmanian Labor government would move imm­ediately to decrim­inalise cannabis use and possession for medicinal purposes.

Shadow attorney-general Lara Giddings said Labor also would establish a cultivation and manufacturing industry that could be worth “tens of millions” to the state economy.

In announcing the official party policy for the first time, Ms Giddings said medicinal cannabis would become a legal therapy option for people with conditions including severe epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, cancer and HIV/AIDS — as well as those suffering chronic pain — where it had been app­roved by two specialists and an independent medical advisory committee.

Ms Giddings said the Opp­osition would take the policy to the next election, and ­accused the Liberal Government of “sitting on its hands” on the issue and risking Tasmania being left behind on the establishment of a viable and potentially lucrative industry.

“This policy is in line with what we’ve been saying for some time now, and our feeling is that the State Government needs to show more leadership in this area,” Ms Giddings said.

“What we are suggesting is a step forward, because the nat­ion is moving forward.

“It’s welcome that the Federal Government is moving to allow for the importation and cultivation of medicinal cannabis in Australia, but Tasmania now needs to move quickly to have a legislative framework that would enable us to grow the product here in a regulated environment.”

Ms Giddings said that alongside the decriminalisation of medicinal cannabis was the opportunity to use the expertise of the state’s farm sector in collaboration with the University of Tasmania to launch clinical trials complementary to those of NSW and Victoria.

And Ms Giddings said she was confident the policy would have wide support among the Tasmanian public.

“There is an opportunity right here and now for Tasmania to start showing some leadership, rather than just being a follower,” she said.