MIKE Baird’s decision to back the use of medical cannabis is a good and compassionate move.
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While such steps require caution, it is hard to justify sticking to an old law that denies relief to those suffering debilitating pain, including terminally ill cancer patients.
Mr Baird was moved to back the change after meeting Daniel Haslam, a 24-year-old who was told in 2010 he only had months to live.
Mr Haslam’s mother and father, a nurse and former police officer, have since bought cannabis — illegally — to help their son deal with the side effects of his chemotherapy.
Mr Baird, his deputy Andrew Stoner and Opposition Leader John Robertson have all given provisional backing to medical use of the drug.
And Queensland Premier Campbell Newman has said he is open to legalising marijuana for medical purposes, subject to guidance from his health experts.
He remains concerned about how to best regulate sales and any change in Queensland had to have the approval of the National Health and Medical Research Council.
The task for both Premiers now is to get on with their checks and, when and if satisfied, to change the law.