The LEAF Jan/Feb 2016 | Page 11

Millions of people world worldwide are already using Cannabis as their preferred choice of medicine because it works. Watch more here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist? list=PLpNJTkHgsJgbyODVgXFRniwlXbCm7e4z Dedicated to supporting (WEDNESDAY, 2 DECEMBER 2015) Australians with the choice to use Medicinal Cannabis STEPHEN JONES MP SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR HEALTH GOVERNMENT MUST GO MUCH FURTHER ON MEDICINAL CANNABIS Labor  welcomes  the  Government’s  decision   to   adopt   Labor’s   policy   to   have   a   single   national scheme to regulate the cultivation of medicinal cannabis. But the Government must go much further and provide real leadership by creating a truly national scheme for medicinal cannabis that  doesn’t  leave  people  in  some  states  and   territories unable to legally and safely access the product. Under   the   Minister   for   Health’s   plan,   a   person’s   postcode   will   still   determine   whether or not they will be at risk of prosecution for possession and use of medicinal cannabis. As things stand, it is still up to the states and territories to decriminalise the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes and there is no guarantee they will adopt uniform national laws. This is not acceptable and the government must  heed  Labor’s  calls  to  create  nationally   consistent legislation that will enable people with serious and life threatening diseases to access and use medicinal cannabis. Until   this   occurs   we   won’t   have   equity   of   access and the question of whether a person can access pain relief for debilitating conditions will be dictated by geography. If the government had acted sooner they could have legislated for medicinal cannabis before the end of the year. But with Parliament rising for the summer break tomorrow this is no longer a possibility. There must be no more delays. People who could benefit from medicinal cannabis deserve a genuine commitment in creating a comprehensive national scheme that covers all bases rather than just the cultivation stage of the process.