ACT could take into account legalising health-related marijuana for terminally sick

Terminally ill Canberra residents will be allowed to use marijuana to ease their soreness if a proposal by the ACT Greens is adopted.

Shane Rattenbury, a member of the ACT legislative assembly, has launched draft legislation and a discussion paper for legalising medical cannabis.

But he will need support from both the Labor government or the Liberal opposition to get it via the territory’s legislature.

Rattenbury is hoping neighborhood feedback over the subsequent couple of months will assist sway the significant events.

“This is an situation that can invite a knee-jerk response,” he stated. However, he explained he was keen to have a wise debate on the issue.

Under the proposal, the drug could be employed by residents who are anticipated to die inside of a 12 months, individuals with chronic illnesses this kind of as cancer or Aids, and people whose medical doctors say cannabis could mitigate signs of continuing medical conditions.

Any individual wanting to use the drug would have to get a health care declaration from their medical professional and apply for a one particular-yr utilization allow from the chief wellness officer.

The health officer would also issue permits to allow people to expand little quantities of cannabis for their individual use.

People convicted of a drug offence within five many years could not apply.

The scheme is related to one particular proposed by a NSW parliamentary committee in 2013 and does not set up any method for marketing the drug or government top quality control.

Rattenbury is taking suggestions on his proposal right up until 15 September and is assured the Canberra neighborhood will help the scheme out of compassion for the sick.

“Let’s pass this legislation for the advantage of people who do have a terminal sickness or suffer from chronic discomfort,” he stated.

Rattenbury is a minister with the minority Labor government but is proposing to introduce the bill as a private member.

ACT could take into account legalising health-related marijuana for terminally sick