Nimbin wants medical cannabis amnesty and trial
A workshop in Nimbin in November will update people on medicinal cannabis. (file pic) www.flickr.com/people/90809455@N00 Medicinal cannabis advocates in Nimbin want the Lismore City Council to contact the State Government asking for an amnesty and a trial to take place in the village. For many years, Nimbin has been at the forefront of the push to recognise cannabis as medicine, and regularly holds workshops to provide people with information about the many uses of cannabis. Another workshop will be held on November 11 at the Bush Theatre in the old Nimbin butter factory. Hemp Embassy president Michael Balderstone said the recent announcement that a Canadian company wanted to set up a medicinal cannabis facility on land supplied by the Richmond Valley Council was seen as ironic by people in Nimbin. ‘The irony of Casino getting this huge crop is not lost on anyone in Nimbin, It also adds to a situation which is very confusing for everyone,’ Mr Balderstone said. “Every announcement from the government gives people the impression that medical cannabis is legal and as a result Nimbin has been flooded with people searching for medicine.’ “Nimbin has become like an outdoor cannabis hospital which is why we need some sort of amnesty to stop the confusion for the people, and the nine police patrolling the village.’ Mr Balderstone said Lismore City Council was ‘in the box seat’ to argue the case to the state government to conduct a medical cannabis trial in the village. ‘Lismore council has Nimbin in its shire and we have the experience, understanding and knowledge to help people. ‘We could be pioneering this treatment but we need some sort of amnesty for personal cannabis use and personal supply.’ ‘If there is no amnesty, where are people supposed to get it?’ “I like the mayor (Isaac Smith). He’s a good guy. He even opened Mardi Grass this year which is a first. It would be fantastic if the council could look at the predicament that Nimbin is in.’ Instead, Mr Balderstone said people were upset that council officers and police removed chairs from the main street this week that were allegedly being used by people either selling medical cannabis or using it. ‘Now we’ve got milk crates everywhere because people want somewhere to sit. A lot of them are medical cannabis users and their habit keeps them broke and homeless because they need to spend a lot of money to get their medicine’. ‘Instead of helping these people, and recognising the need, the council won’t even let them sit on a chair on the footpath.’ Orginally published here: https://www.echo.net.au/2017/10/nimbin-wants-medical-cannabis-amnesty-trial/
