Medicinal cannabis patients, advocates call for change to driving laws
1 week, 5 days ago

Medicinal cannabis patients, advocates call for change to driving laws

ABC  

Tom Smith* has finished a legal battle over a car crash in Western Australia last year that left him requiring surgery and physiotherapy. In a southern WA court Mr Smith was fined $700 for driving under the influence of tetrahydrocannabinol, the main psychoactive component in medicinal cannabis, which he took two days before the crash. The New South Wales' government's Centre for Medicinal Cannabis Research and Innovation website states that it is illegal for patients taking THC to get behind the wheel, but patients using cannabidiol – a non-psychoactive component – can legally drive. Laws antiquated, experts say Southern Cross University dean of law and Drive Change campaigner David Heilpern said Mr Smith's story highlighted the issues surrounding how most Australian states treated medicinal cannabis users. Last year a study from Swinburne University study suggested patients who regularly took medicinal cannabis may build resilience, allowing them to drive unimpaired.

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History of this topic

Medicinal cannabis advocates call for WA driving law overhaul
1 year ago

Medicinal cannabis advocates call for WA driving law overhaul

ABC  

In short: New research suggests medicinal cannabis patients may be able to drive safely with THC in their system. New research suggests medicinal cannabis patients may be able to drive safely with THC in their system. "The working group will consider amendments to enable a defence for people using medicinal cannabis, as prescribed, to drive while unimpaired," a government spokesperson …

Medical cannabis road safety laws scrutinised in drug driving review
1 year, 10 months ago

Medical cannabis road safety laws scrutinised in drug driving review

ABC  

Despite relying on medicinal cannabis to ease pain and suffering caused by chronic illness and disability, Imogen Kars fears the drug could get her in legal strife on the road. Key points: Medicinal cannabis contains traces of THC, which is easily detected in routine drug tests It's illegal for a person to drive with any amount of THC in their …

WA parliamentary committee pushes for medicinal cannabis, drug driving reforms
1 year, 11 months ago

WA parliamentary committee pushes for medicinal cannabis, drug driving reforms

ABC  

A West Australian parliamentary report has recommended the elimination of barriers to accessing medicinal cannabis, including letting people with a prescription drive a car while the drug is in their system. Key points: The chair of the committee says WA could be the "most sensible and advanced state" in the country if the recommendations of the report are adopted The …

Calls to exclude medicinal cannabis users from new SA drug-driving rules
2 years, 1 month ago

Calls to exclude medicinal cannabis users from new SA drug-driving rules

ABC  

Concerns have been raised for thousands of South Australians using medicinal cannabis as strict new road laws, which could see them stripped of their licence immediately, come into effect today. Key points: There are calls to review new drug-driving laws in SA to exclude medicinal cannabis users Under new strict rules, drivers will be stripped of their licence if they …

Medicinal cannabis driving inquiry hears measuring impairment is key, as NSW law change considered
2 years, 9 months ago

Medicinal cannabis driving inquiry hears measuring impairment is key, as NSW law change considered

ABC  

Can you stand on one leg with your eyes closed? Key points: Medicinal cannabis has been legal since 2016 NSW drivers can still be charged if the drug is in their system An parliamentary inquiry is debating a change to the law That was one of the tests suggested to a New South Wales parliamentary inquiry in Sydney as a …

Medicinal cannabis being used by tens of thousands of Australians as access becomes easier
3 years ago

Medicinal cannabis being used by tens of thousands of Australians as access becomes easier

ABC  

It was late 2020 when David decided to talk to his GP about getting a prescription for medicinal cannabis. Melbourne GP Vicki Kotsirilos — the first authorised GP prescriber of medicinal cannabis in Australia — said prescriptions had likely increased because the TGA application process had been "streamlined" and patient demand had grown. She said she took a similar approach …

How Canberra's cannabis laws are and aren't being used nearly two years on from decriminalisation
3 years, 3 months ago

How Canberra's cannabis laws are and aren't being used nearly two years on from decriminalisation

ABC  

When the personal use of cannabis was decriminalised in the ACT in January 2020, Mary couldn't wait to start growing the plant that she uses to treat her chronic depression and arthritis. Although growing up to two plants per person and four maximum per household is decriminalised in the ACT, using artificial lights still carries a maximum jail sentence of …

Medicinal cannabis is legal in Australia, but people like Grace are still turning to the black market
4 years, 8 months ago

Medicinal cannabis is legal in Australia, but people like Grace are still turning to the black market

ABC  

After Grace* was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, she turned to medicinal cannabis. "I think we're seeing some changes in the development of the marketplace, as more doctors take up this option and get better educated around what medical cannabis is, as the price of products is reducing and as more products come onto the market, and there's more …

Driving under the influence of medical cannabis is illegal, but patients are still taking the risk
5 years, 5 months ago

Driving under the influence of medical cannabis is illegal, but patients are still taking the risk

ABC  

When the pain gets too bad, Julie* puts a couple of drops of cannabis oil under her tongue, to ease her chronic pain and help her sleep. Key points: Driving with any THC in your blood system is a criminal offence in Australia Standard medical advice for medical marijuana patients is to wait for five days after using it before …

Drug driving laws could be overhauled as cannabis is legalised
5 years, 11 months ago

Drug driving laws could be overhauled as cannabis is legalised

Daily Mail  

Drug driving laws are too harsh and need to change, according to a legal expert. The Australian Capital Territory assembly is debating a bill to legalise cannabis for personal use. A parliamentary inquiry has heard that if the bill passes drug driving laws should be changed. The Australian Capital Territory assembly is debating a bill to legalise cannabis for personal …

Canberra's drug-driving laws should be relaxed if cannabis is legalised in the ACT, Law Society says
5 years, 11 months ago

Canberra's drug-driving laws should be relaxed if cannabis is legalised in the ACT, Law Society says

ABC  

Canberra's legal fraternity has called for a relaxing of drug-driving laws if cannabis is legalised in the ACT, saying the consequences are often too harsh and "disproportionate" to the level of impairment. Key points: A small amount of cannabis in the system currently results in the same punishment as an alcohol reading of 0.15 It is currently not possible to …

Canberra's cannabis legalisation faces several hurdles, here's what's being proposed
6 years, 1 month ago

Canberra's cannabis legalisation faces several hurdles, here's what's being proposed

ABC  

Local politicians are looking to cultivate Canberra's status as the cannabis capital. The Federal Government also has the power to write a new law explicitly preventing territories from legislating on cannabis use, as it did to prevent the Northern Territory from legalising euthanasia in the 1990s. "Regardless of the way this debate goes, what I want to do is send …

Medical cannabis in Australia 'pretty much inaccessible', leaving patients looking to US
6 years, 8 months ago

Medical cannabis in Australia 'pretty much inaccessible', leaving patients looking to US

ABC  

A father who escaped jail time for juicing cannabis to treat his two daughters is now considering sending one of them overseas for treatment. Medicinal cannabis still 'pretty much inaccessible' Dr Bastian Seidel is calling for more GPs to be able to prescribe medical cannabis. "There are 38,000 GPs in the country — only one of them is an authorised …

Medical cannabis delays force patients to leave Australia
6 years, 9 months ago

Medical cannabis delays force patients to leave Australia

ABC  

Eighteen months on from the legalisation of medical cannabis in Australia, patients are saying access is still too hard, and they're heading overseas for treatment instead. Lindsay's mum, Lanai, is the one wading through the process to get medical cannabis for her son and says it can take them months to get access to the medication her son needs. "A …

Medicinal cannabis driving plan inconsistent with road safety objectives, SA Police Minister says
7 years, 8 months ago

Medicinal cannabis driving plan inconsistent with road safety objectives, SA Police Minister says

ABC  

Plans to allow medicinal cannabis users to drive in South Australia have been labelled "crazy" by the Police Minister. "It's no longer illicit to use medical cannabis, it is legal and we need to move this conversation forward so that we understand that a positive test does not always equal impairment," Ms Vincent said. Greens MLC Mark Parnell said the …

Medicinal cannabis prescription now allowed by SA doctors
7 years, 11 months ago

Medicinal cannabis prescription now allowed by SA doctors

ABC  

Doctors will be able to prescribe the medicinal use of cannabis without government approval in South Australia from this week. "We heard that it was extra red tape and an extra layer of administration for doctors to have to get state approval every single time, for every single patient prescribed medicinal cannabis," he said. " Cannabis in same category as …

Queensland's medicinal cannabis advocates plea for compassion, access to drug
8 years, 2 months ago

Queensland's medicinal cannabis advocates plea for compassion, access to drug

ABC  

Medicinal cannabis advocates are pleading for compassion and urging Australian authorities to legalise the drug to help ease the pain and suffering of those who desperately need it. It follows the South Australian police raid on Adelaide supplier Jenny Hallam's property last week that sparked an outcry from families who rely on her for the supply of cannabis oil. 'It …

Medicinal marijuana to become legal to grow in Australia — but how will it work?
8 years, 4 months ago

Medicinal marijuana to become legal to grow in Australia — but how will it work?

ABC  

It is about to become legal to cultivate and manufacture medicinal cannabis in Australia, which means people will be able to apply for a licence to grow their own cannabis crop. Another change coming into effect in early November through the Therapeutic Goods Administration will mean medicinal cannabis will no longer fall under Australia's most stringent of schedules, reserved for …

Medicinal marijuana to be legalised in Australia from November
8 years, 6 months ago

Medicinal marijuana to be legalised in Australia from November

Daily Mail  

Medicinal marijuana will be legalised across Australia from November this year, under a formal decision reached by the Therapeutic Goods Administration this week. Medicinal marijuana legalised from November this year, under strict control measures WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Medicinal marijuana to be legalised in Australia from November this year Patients with a valid prescription will be able to get …

Medicinal cannabis to be treatment option in Queensland 'within weeks'
8 years, 10 months ago

Medicinal cannabis to be treatment option in Queensland 'within weeks'

ABC  

Some Queensland doctors could be prescribing medicinal cannabis to patients from as early as next month, the State Government says. Cameron Dick said he would change state regulations to ensure some Queensland specialists could prescribe cannabis as soon as it is approved by the TGA. "This will allow Queensland patients to take immediate advantage of the final rescheduling decision without …

Victoria becomes first Australian state to legalise medical cannabis
8 years, 11 months ago

Victoria becomes first Australian state to legalise medical cannabis

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Victoria has become the first …

Medicinal cannabis legalised in Victoria, child epilepsy patients to be given access from 2017
8 years, 11 months ago

Medicinal cannabis legalised in Victoria, child epilepsy patients to be given access from 2017

ABC  

Victoria has become the first state in Australia to legalise the use of medicinal cannabis. Children with severe epilepsy will be the first to access to the drug in 2017, Victoria's Health Minister Jill Hennessy said, after the Access to Medicinal Cannabis Bill passed Parliament. The Queensland Government last year announced that a trial to treat children with epilepsy with …

New medical cannabis laws to be tabled, Sussan Ley confident of bipartisan support
9 years, 1 month ago

New medical cannabis laws to be tabled, Sussan Ley confident of bipartisan support

ABC  

Legislation to allow the cultivation of cannabis in Australia for medical or scientific purposes will be introduced by the Federal Government today. Key points: Proposed amendments would allow for medical cannabis cultivation through a national scheme. Labor and the Greens showing strong support, Health Minister says Cannabis will not be legalised for general cultivation or recreational use The establishment of …

Medicinal marijuana: Cannabis cultivation legislation to be introduced into Victorian Parliament
9 years, 3 months ago

Medicinal marijuana: Cannabis cultivation legislation to be introduced into Victorian Parliament

ABC  

Legislation to allow medicinal cannabis to be grown and manufactured in Victoria will be introduced into State Parliament today, and children with epilepsy are expected to be given first access. The Access to Medicinal Cannabis Bill 2015 to be introduced today will "provide a legal framework to enable the cultivation and manufacture of safe and high-quality medicinal cannabis products," the …

Australia moves to legalise medical marijuana
9 years, 5 months ago

Australia moves to legalise medical marijuana

Al Jazeera  

Law that would legalise cannabis for medical treatments is supported by opposition and is likely to pass in parliament. Australia is making key moves to legalise the growing of cannabis for medicinal and scientific purposes, the government announced. Health Minister Sussan Ley said on Saturday that changes to existing legislation that bans the growing of marijuana will be introduced to …

Medicinal cannabis legalisation 'unlikely to benefit' Tasmanian farmers
9 years, 5 months ago

Medicinal cannabis legalisation 'unlikely to benefit' Tasmanian farmers

ABC  

The Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association has disputed that legalising cannabis production will lead to a new agricultural industry or that opportunities to grow the crop will even extend to the state. "We look forward to working with the Federal Government on opportunities for growing medicinal cannabis in Tasmania," he said. But Peter Skillern, the chief executive of the Tasmanian …

Medicinal marijuana to be legalised in Victoria in Australian first
9 years, 5 months ago

Medicinal marijuana to be legalised in Victoria in Australian first

ABC  

Locally-grown medicinal cannabis will be legalised in Victoria, under a controversial State Government move to ease the suffering of people with serious medical conditions. 'Solid research' justifies medicinal marijuana The commission has made 42 recommendations, including that medicinal cannabis be available to treat five serious conditions, including multiple sclerosis, cancer, HIV or AIDS, epilepsy and chronic pain. Marijuana conditions of …

Renewed calls for Tasmanian medical cannabis trials to include larger scope of patients
9 years, 7 months ago

Renewed calls for Tasmanian medical cannabis trials to include larger scope of patients

ABC  

Parents and carers have appealed for Australian medicinal cannabis trials to encompass patients a broader range of patients. But carer Nicole Cowes, whose daughter Alice has an epileptic condition known as CDKL5, said despite her daughter's severe illness, it was unlikely she would be included in the trial. "We've heard the platitudes from the State Government now, that they do …

Tasmanian Government called on to ensure medicinal cannabis available to patients
9 years, 10 months ago

Tasmanian Government called on to ensure medicinal cannabis available to patients

ABC  

The Tasmanian Opposition has called on the Government to do more to ensure medicinal cannabis becomes available for patients. Natalie Daley, who was diagnosed with a rare cancer two years ago, said taking cannabis oil had significantly improved her health. Ms Giddings welcomed State Government moves to legalise one element of medicinal cannabis oil - cannabidiol, or CBD - but …

Victorian Government moves ahead with plans to legalise medical marijuana
10 years, 3 months ago

Victorian Government moves ahead with plans to legalise medical marijuana

ABC  

The Victorian Government hopes to become the first state in Australia to legalise medical marijuana, hopefully by the end of next year. Earlier this year, then opposition leader Daniel Andrews said the law was outdated and needed to be "modernised". The State Opposition supported the greater availability of medicinal marijuana when it was in government and spokesman Robert Clark said …

Medical marijuana: Canberrans have their say on whether the drug should be legalised for medical use
10 years, 4 months ago

Medical marijuana: Canberrans have their say on whether the drug should be legalised for medical use

ABC  

Canberra's community has been invited to have a say about medical marijuana, as the ACT Government considers a bill to legalise its use. "If it was just for me I'd say yes, because I've got a bad back and it would probably help," he said. I think it's a good way to relieve the pain of some people who've got …

Southern councils back medicinal cannabis growing trials in Tasmania
10 years, 7 months ago

Southern councils back medicinal cannabis growing trials in Tasmania

ABC  

Support is growing among Tasmanian councils to allow the growing of medicinal cannabis. They believe a medicinal cannabis industry could drive the region's economic recovery. The Tasmanian Government has pledged to make the growing of industrial hemp a priority and Mr Ferguson now appears more open to medicinal cannabis trials. He says he is not concerned Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff …

ACT proposal to decriminalise cannabis use for seriously ill patients
10 years, 8 months ago

ACT proposal to decriminalise cannabis use for seriously ill patients

ABC  

There is a push for the ACT to become the first jurisdiction in Australia to legalise cannabis for medical use. "Certainly surveys show that there is support in the community for legalising cannabis for medical purposes and I expect that this discussion paper will draw out some of that support." ACT Government will not support proposed laws Chief Minister Katy …

Medical cannabis: Tasman Health Cannabinoids forced to look interstate after trial rejection
10 years, 8 months ago

Medical cannabis: Tasman Health Cannabinoids forced to look interstate after trial rejection

ABC  

The Tasmanian company that proposed a trial of medicinal cannabis for cancer sufferers says it is concerned by the way it has been treated by the State Government. Today, Agriculture Minister Jeremy Rockliff told the ABC's Country Hour program that growing medicinal cannabis and poppies could damage Tasmania's image with international regulatory bodies. Marijuana's negative stigma 'outdated' But Mr Langman …

Tasmanian Government ministers unite in opposition to medical marijuana trials
10 years, 8 months ago

Tasmanian Government ministers unite in opposition to medical marijuana trials

ABC  

Key Tasmanian Government ministers are standing firm against the idea of growing and processing medical cannabis in the state. We don't want to risk the poppy industry as a result of going down the medical cannabis path Mr Rockliff, who holds Primary Industry portfolio, said that a medical cannabis industry would pose a threat to Tasmania's well-established poppy industry. "We …

State Health Minister to discuss medical cannabis trials at the University of Tasmania
10 years, 8 months ago

State Health Minister to discuss medical cannabis trials at the University of Tasmania

ABC  

The Tasmanian Government will talk to a company proposing cannabis medical trials involving the University of Tasmania. "We've got no plans to change state laws in relation to the regulation of marijuana for medicinal purposes, that's really a matter for the federal regulators," he said. Greens Health spokesperson Cassy O'Connor said the party had long supported calls from medical professionals …

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