Cannabis: You can have a say

The Victorian Law Reform Commission will hold a session in Wodonga on June 15 as part of a series of events being held in regional areas.

This follows the recent backing by Border MPs of moves for Victoria and NSW to co-operate on medical marijuana trials.

Benambra MP Bill Tilley said it was “imperative” the states shared nformation, while Albury MP Greg Aplin said it would be “sensible” given the region’s cross-border health arrangements.

Victorian Health Minister Jill Hennessy confirmed last weekend that she would be seeking Victorians to take part in medicinal cannabis trials, to be run by NSW Health.

The commission said yesterday it was not considering the decriminalisation of cannabis, only cannabis used for medicinal purposes “in exceptional circumstances”.

“Thought needs to be given to how a medicinal cannabis scheme would focus most effectively and safely on helping patients,” commission chairman Philip Cummins said.

“We expect to hear a range of views and we encourage members of the public to have their say by coming to the public consultations.”

The commission has published an issues paper on options for changes to the law that would allow people to be treated with medicinal cannabis in exceptional circumstances.

The commission said it would consult widely with the public and the medical profession before arriving at its final recommendations and reporting to Attorney-General Martin Pakula MP by August 31.

The commission said the two key challenges were:

- defining who should be eligible to use cannabis for medicinal purposes — in particular, what were the “exceptional circumstances” in which people should be able to use medicinal cannabis; and,

- identifying how extensive any Victorian medicinal cannabis scheme might be.

Anyone interested in attending the Wodonga session can register by visiting the website lawreform.vic.gov.au.