A bittersweet victory for chronically ill patients. When Australia legalised medical cannabis in 2016, it was a victory for chronically ill patients. But, it has become bittersweet as they battle for access.

A new Bill to make it easier for medical cannabis importers to have a stock on hand will go to the Australian Senate. Greens leader Dr Robert di Natale believes the Bill will pass. Its intention is to make it easier for Aussie patients to access the medicine they need to help them with quality of life.

Introducing this Bill, di Natale accuses the government of ‘ignoring the will of parliament’. When the government legalised medical cannabis in 2016 it did not make provision for doctors to prescribe some patients with terminal conditions. They have to apply for permission under Category A of the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) special access program.

…

Read More

Medical cannabis impossible for patients to access

Patients struggle to access medical cannabis even though it is legal in Australia. Activists lash out at the government for making it so hard for patients to access the cannabis they need.

Legalised in November 2016, only 137 patients have government approval for access to medical cannabis. They have to apply to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) Special Access program.

Accessing legal cannabis too hard

High profile medical cannabis activist and former nurse Michael Oakley says accessing legal cannabis was too difficult. Mr Oakley’s 21-year-old son Ben, suffers from Stiff Person Syndrome. It is a neurological condition that causes seizures and excruciating pain. This is a rare condition with spasms severe enough to put Ben’s life at risk. It also causes extreme pulse and temperature fluctuations,

…

Read More