THE medicinal marijuana debate has reached the Swan Hill region, with local politicians confirming they have been approached by residents who want to access the drug without fear of being prosecuted.
State member Peter Walsh and federal MP Andrew Broad have both met with constituents to talk about changing the law to allow people with terminal or chronic illness to use medical marijuana.
While Mr Walsh is toeing the party line on the issue, Mr Broad has written to the Minister for Health on behalf of a resident who found marijuana relieved the symptoms of a “legitimate and significant” health problem.
“They are requesting trials are conducted to allow them to continue to use that product without it being considered breaking the law,” he said.
“I think that’s a valid consideration and that’s why I wrote to the minister.”
Calls for marijuana to be legalised have intensified across Australia in recent months, with almost two-thirds of Australians now in support of relaxing laws, according to a new poll by Realtech.
But it is unlikely that there will be any legislative change in Victoria – both the state government and opposition say they have no plans to legalise the drug.
“I think we need to be very cautious in legalising particular substances,” Mr Walsh said. “The research work needs to be done… and there are Australian Standards that need to be met.”
Sharman Stone, Federal Member for Murray, is one Victorian politician pushing hard for the legislation changes.
“Some other advanced countries… have long ago accepted the scientific evidence that medicinal cannabis has properties that make it a valuable last resort drug to give chronic pain and nausea relief where nothing else works for some cancer sufferers,” she said.
“It can also be of assistance with some aspects of MS and can reduce the number and severity of fits that can further disable a child with a particular rare syndrome.”
She said medicinal marijuana did not give the same high as illegal street marijuana.
“The use of illegal drugs should not cloud our perspective or our sense of compassion for those who could be treated to help their condition, or who could have their cancer pain and suffering relieved at the end of their life, when all else has failed.”
Mr Broad said he believed it would be “short-sighted” to dismiss medical marijuana without extensive research.
“There’s no doubt that plants that have got drug characteristics in them can be used for beneficial and negative purposes.
“If we take marijuana, there’s lots of evidence that overuse can cause mental health issues.
“But that’s not to say with the right medical oversight that there can’t be beneficial uses for that drug.”
