Councillor throws support behind bid to legalise medicinal cannabis
END THE PAIN: Warrnambool City councillor David Owen believes medicinal cannabis should be legalised in Victoria to help ease the suffering of people with a chronic illness. Picture: Anthony Brady
Warrnambool councillor David Owen has thrown his support behind a bid to legalise medicinal cannabis.
Cr Owen, who is battling prostate cancer, said no one should have to suffer if there was a way to ease their pain.
"We certainly should be looking at alternative medicines," he said.
"It it can relieve some of the pain for someone suffering, I would support it.
"People suffer enough in their lives."
Cr Owen said he was weighing up his options with regard to treatment in the coming weeks after his doctor had advised him his cancer had returned.
He was diagnosed with stage three prostate cancer in September 2018 and underwent chemotherapy every three weeks for 18 weeks.
Cr Owen said if medicinal cannabis was legalised and his pain levels became unbearable, he would consider using it.
SUFFERING: Shaunie O'Connor Hollerhead wants medicinal cannabis to be legalised. Picture: Supplied
Warrnambool's Shaunie O'Connor Hollerhead, 27, also supports the bid to legalise it.
She has been suffering from fibromyalgia for the past 17 years and has been advised medicinal cannabis may reduce her symptoms.
"I constantly shake, jolt in my sleep, my legs are constantly on fire and there are days I can't walk," Ms O'Connor Hollerhead said.
She said she had never taken an illegal substance and wouldn't, but wished the state government would allow her to access medicinal cannabis legally.
The federal government announced earlier this week it was committing $3 million for clinical trials looking at how cannabis can be used to help treat cancer and other side affects.
Health Minister Greg Hunt said the government was committed to ensuring a safe and quality supply of the drug, but only when it was prescribed by a medical professional.
Originally published here: https://www.standard.net.au/story/6427812/medicinal-cannabis-can-help-ease-the-pain/
