THERE is a growing body of evidence to suggest cannabis used for medical purposes may provide relief to patients suffering from a range of serious illnesses, Port Macquarie MP Leslie Williams said.
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She said that was why the state government was embarking on a clinical trial to better understand what role medical cannabis could play in alleviating symptoms in patients suffering from debilitating or terminal illnesses.
Mrs Williams said she understands many patients who are suffering as a result of a terminal illness are using cannabis to help alleviate the associated chronic pain and suffering.
"I strongly support the direction of the Liberals and Nationals government moving to give those patients and their carers the relief they deserve by formalising existing NSW police discretion not to charge terminally ill adults who use cannabis to alleviate their symptoms," she said.
"We have also formed a working group to establish a government sponsored clinical trial for cannabis, which is due to report back by the end of the year."
Mrs Williams said like the government, she believed a national approach was needed and she knew the state government had approached the Commonwealth to place medicinal cannabis on the national research agenda.
"I toughly support this compassionate and rational approach on this issue," she said.
The government stressed recreational use of drugs was illegal and would not be tolerated.
A number of international jurisdictions have approved the use of crude cannabis for medical purposes, including 23 US states, the Netherlands, Canada and Israel.
