Queensland driving national reform of medicinal cannabis

Health Ministers meeting in Perth today agreed to Queensland’s proposal that steps should be taken to co-ordinate the use and control of medicinal cannabis across State andTerritories.

Queensland Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Cameron Dick said that while cannabis was a powerful drug that can be dangerous when used improperly, it had the potential to assist with a range of health problems.

“There has been a lot of movement in relation to medicinal cannabis both last year and this year,” he said.

“Queensland wants to support the industries that are emerging throughout the medicinal cannabis supply chain and help ensure patients can access products safely and at the right dosage levels. 

“It is important that state and territories work together, share information and where possible adopt a coordinated approach to this issue.

“I am pleased my Ministerial colleagues agreed with recommendations to support these goals.

"We have tasked senior officials to work together and report back to ministers about opportunities for a more co-ordinated approach.”

The meeting resolved to ask the Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council to provide advice and options on how a nationally co-ordinated approach to the cultivation and manufacture of cannabis for medical and research purposes might work.

Queensland is leading Australia with proposed new legislation to regulate medicinal cannabis which, if passed, will create a process to support legal access to medicinal cannabis for Queensland patients.  

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Media contact: Andrew Fraser 0428 690 679