Qld to join medical cannabis trials

Queensland's premier says there may have to be legislative changes to make way for medical marijuana trials in the Sunshine State.

Marijuana

File image. (AAP) Source: EFE

Queensland will take part in medical marijuana trials, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced.

Ms Palaszczuk said Queensland will join Victoria and NSW in the trials aimed at helping people with various illnesses, including children with epilepsy.

But Queensland's premier says there may have to be legislative changes to make way for trials in the Sunshine State.

"We are going to look at the legislative framework in relation to making sure Queensland is part of this trial," Ms Palaszczuk told reporters on Sunday.

"It may require a legislative change through the parliament or a regulation change."

She said NSW Health would co-ordinate the trial which she understands exempts families taking part in the trial from the ban on marijuana use.

"Queensland is not going to sit on the sidelines," she said.

"We are going to be part of these groundbreaking trial."

When asked if it was right for a Queensland father to be going through the courts for administrating medical marijuana when she's announcing a trial, the premier replied: "This is a separate matter."

Health Minister Cameron Dick said the trial would allow the states to get the science, safety and legal framework right.

"The clinical work in Queensland will complement what's happening in NSW and Victoria," he said.

An expert panel will look at the size and scope of the trial.

NSW is committing about $9 million towards the trial.


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2 min read
Published 19 April 2015 2:07am
Updated 19 April 2015 2:28pm
Source: AAP


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