SENATOR CAROL BROWN

SHADOW PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR FAMILIES

AND PAYMENTS
LABOR SENATOR FOR TASMANIA

MORE MUST BE DONE ON MEDICINAL CANNABIS

Tasmanian Labor Senator Carol Brown today welcomed the introduction of medicinal
cannabis legislation but says much more must be done.
Labor is pleased that the Government has finally listened to Bill Shortens call for a
national licencing system but there are still some big shortcomings in the
Governments scheme.
The decriminalisation of the possession and use of cannabis for medicinal purposes
must be a matter for the Commonwealth, State and Territory governments.
Unfortunately, the Health Minister has still not said whether the Government will
ensure nationally consistent laws that will allow people to legally access and use
medicinal cannabis across Australia.
Until this happens we face the prospect of geographic discrimination when it comes
to medicinal cannabis.
Whether a person with a life threatening illness can benefit from medicinal cannabis
will depend solely on the postcode in which they live.
The Government must ensure this does not happen.

It must coordinate State and Territory reform of criminal laws to exempt eligible
people, such as those with serious and terminal illnesses, from prosecution for
possession and use.
Tasmanians who are suffering a terminal illness or serious medical conditions need
access to safe, reliable and legal medicinal cannabis prescribed by their doctor.
Tasmanians continue to suffer from terrible, debilitating pain because the
government has dragged its feet.

WEDNESDAY, 10 FEBRUARY 2016