Andrea Dawkins MP | Greens' Primary Industries spokesperson
The Federal Government's most recent medicinal cannabis announcement raised the hopes of Tasmanians who thought they might be able to more easily access treatment, legally. In reality it's very different.
No Tasmanians are involved in the NSW medicinal cannabis trials, despite the Premier signing the State up. The State Government's Controlled Access Scheme looks to be restricted to specialists to prescribe and won't be up and running until the end of the year.
Tasmanian medicinal cannabis users are still being forced to break the law, and risk prosecution to access treatment. They have no protection from government.
People who should be protected are still being prosecuted for seeking respite from prolonged illnesses and chronic conditions. It's unacceptable, and the Greens will be pursuing the matter in Parliament.
The Liberals have done nothing real to protect medicinal cannabis users. The state of limbo they've created is leaving chronically or terminally ill Tasmanians and their families open to criminal charges.
Despite the Liberals' so-called support for medicinal cannabis, nothing has changed. We will be raising the matter again in State Parliament when it resumes.