HIghlights of 2015: What you helped to achieve

 

Looking back at some of the highlights of what you helped accomplish in 2015!

 

• The MCAG was founded to give Queesland patients and carers a voice at a State and Federal level to advocate for patient focused medical cannabis law reform initiatives.​

 

• In March we launced the first of four petitions, that have all been tabled in the Queensland Parliament, calling for an amnesty, and for Regulation 270A to be amended to remove the State prohibition on the use and access to cannabis for medical purposes, and for the introduction of a state-wide photo identification medical cannabis program, funding and support services and more.

 

• Also in March, submitted Lindsay’s applications for Federal TGA, and State approval to access his recommended medical cannabis treatment, under his Queensland doctor, through the Special Access Scheme, raising the awareness that all Australian patients could potentially access any form of "unapproved" cannabis product through the SAS, regardless of age or medical condition, rather than waiting on the outcomes of research trials, and 

 

•  Also in March, and with the help of Lindsay's doctors, developed a draft medical cannabis treatment plan with informed consent form and guidelines, which was used in Lindsay's SAS applications.​

 

• In May, submitted the first patient focused and driven medical cannabis law reform proposal to the Queensland Government, with clear guidelines for an amnesty program.

 

• Our committee members all attended the Senate inquiry in Brisbane where Lanai, our group co-chair gave evidence about the use of medical cannabis, in the treatment of her son Lindsay's brain tumour, epilepsy, nausea and pain, as well as eveidence on how medical cannabis treatment is recommended and delivered in dispensaries in the US.

 

• Met with elected Federal and State officials, including the Health Minister and Families and Communities Services Minister, as well as health advisors, and other government officials.

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• In September, in Lindsay’s case, initiated Federal Administrative Appeal Tribunal action against the Federal Health Minister, moving the TGA to advise they can approve Lindsay’s doctor to treat him under Category B, avoiding what would have been an historic and precedent Federal legal, however the fight continued for the state approval that was needed.

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• Again in Lindsay’s case initiated Supreme Court action against the Queensland Attorney General moving the QLD government to change Regulation 270A to avoid what would have been an historic and precedent Supreme Court legal case.

 

• In November, the Premier and Cabinet adopted our recommendation to include nabiximols in the Health (Drugs and Poisons) Regulations.

 

• In December, the Premier and Cabinet adopted our recommendation to remove the prohibition on the use of Schedule 9 cannabis in Queensland by amending Regualtion 270A, to include provisions to allow access to Schedule 9 Cannabis, however access is restricted to the SAS. The changes also mean that the research trials can proceed. 

 

• Generated thousands of emails, calls and signatures on petitions over four petitions that were tabled in the Queensland Parliament by the Clerk of Parliament Mr Neil Laurie.

 

• Launched the first patient focused and driven medical cannabis website in Australia, with information, news and updates on campaigns, events and medical, legal and advocacy information.

 

• Provided up-to date information on medical cannabis and the laws to thousands of patients and carers through MCAG’s Facebook page, website, twitter and in the community, educating thousands of patients on cannabis as a medicine

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• Represented the patient’s perspective in the media and in the community

 

• Consulted with industry, including Australian and overseas suppliers interested in offering compassionate and subsidised supply for seriously ill patients, as well as well as establishing a local industry here in Queensland.

 

We are much closer to reaching our goals of lawful access to a safe, affordable local supply of medical cannabis for every Queensland patient who is using cannabis or considering using it.

 

A lot more needs to be done in 2016. Patients are still criminalised under state law, there is still no cultivation provisions, meaning cannabis needs to be imported.  We look forward to your support and hope that 2016 brings more positive progress in the interests of the patients.  We also hope to receive support and leadership on this important health issue from the Queensland Labour Government and positive responses to the other important initiatives outlined in our proposals.