NSW Labor Push for Medicinal Cannabis

The NSW opposition will push to decriminalise medicinal cannabis for people with conditions including cancer, HIV and multiple sclerosis.

The bill, which Labor hopes to introduce into parliament this week, would allow medically certified sufferers and their carers to carry small amounts of cannabis up to 15 grams.

Labor leader Luke Foley says it would mean people with serious or terminal conditions could ease their pain without being treated like criminals.

“This is about restoring dignity to those people seeking temporary relief from the pain and suffering of their affliction,” he said on Tuesday.

“Seeking respite from relentless and unwavering illness should not be a criminal offence. It should be met with sympathy and support.”

People eligible for medicinal cannabis would need certification from NSW Health and photo ID to carry the drug.

Labor said its legislation was based on a 2013 NSW parliamentary inquiry which recommended that people with AIDS and the terminally ill be able to carry and use up to 15g of dry cannabis.

The O’Farrell government knocked back the proposal, saying the potency and safety of products could not be guaranteed.

Conditions included in Labor’s medical cannabis bill:

• HIV
• Motor neurone disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Stiff person syndrome (rare neurological disorder)
• Cancer-associated pain
• Neuropathic pain
• Chemotherapy patients with severe, treatment-resistant nausea and vomiting

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