Cassy O'Connor MP | Greens Health spokesperson
Police Minister Rene Hidding has admitted that the Government has rejected key recommendations from the parliamentary Committee report into medicinal cannabis.
Despite the Parliamentary Committee recommendation that the use of medicinal cannabis being legislated as soon as possible, the Hodgman Liberal Government have washed their hands of any responsibility for criminal protection of chronically-ill Tasmanians and their families.
Mr Hidding has also confirmed that the government is not moving to create a legislative framework to enable the use of medicinal cannabis under medical supervision as also recommended by the Committee.
Police Commissioner Darren Hine has confirmed that police are required by law to seize cannabis even if it is for medicinal use, yet Mr Hidding seems to think that his policy vacuum on the issue is fine for now.
It is clear that police are required by law to seize cannabis even if it is for medicinal purposes, exposing medicinal cannabis users to potential expense and personal risk.
The government is washing its hands of this issue which unfortunately means that persons who are using medicinal cannabis have been condemned to further uncertainty.
We know there are families who are having to break the law to care for their loved ones, and an assurance from the Police Commissioner is not enough. Our Government should be brave enough to say they stand by those people, and protect them through legislatio