Medicinal marijuana will be more widely available in Australia within eight weeks, after the health minister fast-tracked importation of cannabis by approved providers.
The health minister, Greg Hunt, announced on Wednesday that the government will authorise importation by international providers for an interim supply in Australia, until domestic production meets local needs.
Medicinal cannabis is legal in Australia but doctors must import approved products because there is no domestic supply available, causing difficulties for patients and families seeking treatment.
As part of these changes, importers will be able to source medicinal cannabis products from a reputable supplier overseas and store these in a safe, secure warehouse in Australia, Hunt said.
He said that within eight weeks, possibly sooner, Australia would have a store of imported cannabis to improve access to medicinal marijuana products.
Speaking on ABCs AM, Hunt said there would be a supply to meet all Australian demand although that wouldnt happen overnight.
Hunt said that Victoria had told him domestic production will be up and running in that state by the middle of the year and in the long-term supply would be filled by commercial providers.
On Friday the Office of Drug Control issued its first cannabis licence, allowing Australian company Cannoperations to legally cultivate and conduct research on medicinal cannabis. Hunt said that provider would take about a year to add to supply.
Given the lack of supply in Australia, One Nation has called for an amnesty for medicinal cannabis users who had accessed it illegally.
Malcolm Turnbull has labelled the idea irresponsible because the strength of cannabis not obtained from official providers can be much higher than expected.
Asked about an amnesty for patients buying cannabis products illegally, Hunt said it was not an issue for the commonwealth government thats an issue entirely under state law.
The states have sole and exclusive ownership of laws dealing with treatment of individuals in possession [of cannabis].
Hunt said he is developing a long-term national health plan including rock solid support for Medicare, the hospital system, mental health and medical research.
The Turnbull government has come under intense pressure to end the freeze on the Medicare rebate, after Labor made the future of Medicare and its alleged privatisation a central election issue.
Last week Turnbull said the government was open to reviewing the freeze, but stopped short of promising to end the freeze, which is due to last until 2020.
The measure is set to save the government $2.8bn over six years, and would cost $925.3m to unfreeze in the final two years.
Hunt said the government is willing to review the Medicare rebate freeze to help make the system stronger and better.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker
Full Article: Medicinal Cannabis Supply Given Boost After Greg Hunt Fast-Tracks Importation
Author: Paul Karp
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Photo Credit: Mario Anzuoni
Website: The Guardian
