As the push for access to medical cannabis continues to grow, patients across Australia are left waiting in the wings, caught in a web of red tape. While states like Victoria are considering measures such as “assisted dying,” many are still a long way from offering the kind of “assisted living” patients need, especially when it comes to medical cannabis.
The story of Tony Bower and his efforts to provide cannabis tinctures to those in need began in Nimbin on December 1, 2009—World AIDS Day. This momentous action made headlines in the Nimbin Good Times, marking a significant turning point in the conversation about medical cannabis in Australia. However, years later, the pace of change remains painfully slow.
At the inaugural Medicinal Cannabis Symposium in Tamworth in November 2014, Premier Baird proclaimed that New South Wales could become "the world leader in medicinal cannabis." Yet, despite these bold statements, it wasn’t until over 25 months later that the government called for just 80 people undergoing chemotherapy to join a cannabis trial.
The delay is particularly frustrating given the powerful impact cannabis has already had on many patients, such as the late Dan Haslam, who made Premier Baird aware of how cannabis improved his quality of life during his battle with cancer. Dan’s story helped open eyes to the potential of cannabis as a therapeutic option, but progress has been limited.
With Human Rights Day approaching on December 10, it raises an important question: Shouldn’t it be a fundamental human right to live without pain and to choose the best treatment for your health? Thousands of Australians already benefit from using cannabis in various forms to manage pain, alleviate symptoms, and improve their quality of life. Yet, many of them live in fear of legal repercussions, unable to access what could be life-changing medicine simply because of its criminal status.
Cannabis Club Australia stands firm in advocating for the removal of barriers to accessing medical cannabis. There are tens of thousands of Australians who are waiting for the freedom to choose their own treatment—without the fear of prosecution, without delays, and without unnecessary obstacles. The need for action is now more urgent than ever.
It’s time for the government to put patients before politics. Let’s work together to break down the red tape and ensure that access to medical cannabis is a reality for all who need it. 👉 Read the full story: http://www.echo.net.au/2016/12/medical-cannabis-trials-mired-red-tape/