LEGALISING CANNABIS

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GENERAL OVERVIEW

What is Medical Cannabis?

Three types of cannabis
Most common are:
Cannabis Sativia
Cannabis Indica
Common due to high concentration

of THC
For medical purposes, CBD is

required
Plant for medical use: Ruderalis

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AUSTRALIAN LAW

Laws in Australia
Australian law dictates:
It is illegal to use, possess, grow or sell cannabis in Australia, even
for medical purposes.
Penalties are vary dependent on state

Legalisation in Australia
Currently plans to legalise in NSW and Victoria
NSW
Announced in September 2014
Clinical trials for pain relief and epilepsy
Victoria
Presentation of bill to parliament
Decision expected by end of the year (2015)

LEGAL AND MEDIAL STATUS OF

CANNABIS WORLDWIDE

Article 2 regarding
Schedule IV substances
A Party shall, if in its opinion the prevailing conditions in its
country render it the most appropriate means of protecting
the public health and welfare, prohibit the production,
manufacture, export and import of, trade in, possession or
use of any such drug except for amounts which may be
necessary for medical and scientific research only,
including clinical trials therewith to be conducted under or
subject to the direct supervision and control of the Party.

There is enough evidence to show that smoking cannabis

does affect the health of New Zealanders, including cancer,
and including effects on people with mental illness. In any
decision about what should happen with cannabis, we
ought to look at the evidence before we make decisions.
-former New Zealand Minister of Health
Annette King

 Cancer
Glaucoma
HIV or AIDS
Parkinsons Disease
Multiple Sclerosis
Spinal Cord nerve tissue damage
Epilepsy
Cachexia
Wasting Syndrome
Crohns Disease
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

 A physician form
A patient form
A guardian form, if applicable; and
Application fee(s)

->Proof of identity

PROS VS. CONS

(PRO ET CONTRA)

Pros
Can help sufferers of:
Epilepsy
Chronic muscle spasms
Tourettes
Psychological conditions Depression, Anxiety etc.
Some arguments against smoking medical marijuana can

be dispelled as there are alternative ways of medicating:

Vaporisation
Oil
Incorporated in tonics

Has been used by some communities for generations as

a medicinal agent in appropriate doses

Cons
Like many drugs, there are associated risks:
Memory loss
Impaired cognitive ability
Risk of abuse/addiction
The above are primarily seen due to frequent use
Smoked cannabis places an individual at risk:
Cancer
Lung tissue damage
There is not enough studies and clinical trials to support

the supposed medical benefits of cannabis

Questions?

Quick poll
Should medical cannabis be legalised?

All responses are anonymous

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Resources
http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org /
http://

dying.about.com/od/symptommanagement/f/med_mj_procon.h
tm
http://
www.riversideonline.com/health_reference/articles/ga0001
http://www.livescience.com/24554-medical-marijuana.html
http://
www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana-medicin
e
http://www.medicalcannabis.com.au /
http://
www.health.nsw.gov.au/cannabis/Documents/fs-cannabis-trials
.pdf