A lot was achieved in 2015 for Queensland patients at a State level but the Federal Liberal National Government continues to hold up the process and misrepresent the facts at the expense of patients right across Australia causing confusion, insurmountable suffering as well as costing lives!!
Before posting details of some of our law reform and advocacy initiatives for 2016 we take a look back at 2015 and first thank everyone for their support to help bring about the changes that were made in Queensland.
In December State Health Regulation 270A was amended removing the total prohibition in Queensland on the possession, supply, cultivation, manufacture and use of Schedule 9 cannabis and a new Regulation made to allow the Chief Executive Officer to give approvals for Schedule 9 cannabis, cannabis resin and cannabinoids in line with the Commonwealth provisions under the Special Access Scheme. In November Schedule 8 nabiximols (THC/CBD) was also included in the Regulations. Earlier in the year the Federal TGA also included CBD in Schedule 4 as a prescription medicine without the need for State approval.
These changes in Queensland mean that Queensland patients can now potentially access any form of Schedule 4, 8 and 9 cannabis without the age or medical condition restrictions imposed in the pending research trials where patients also risk being placed on a placebo however State cultivation to provide for a local supply remains an issue that is high on our agenda for 2016.
Although Federal support for medical cannabis appeared to be stronger than ever in 2015 with the Greens Federal Regulator Bill, the Liberal Government would not let it proceed in the Senate or the House of Representatives and have held up the process indefinitely with the Health Minister Susan Ley stepping in at the last minute advising Parliament in October that she would introduce legislation by early December for Federal cultivation licenses.
In December Susan Ley failed to deliver on her promise and has directed the States and Territorys not to proceed with any State/Territory cultivation licensing plans promising legislation sometime in 2016. Federal and State Labour appear to be going along with this stalling tactic!!
The MCAG will continue to lobby for State licencing as a priority as well as access through patients treating doctors and the State Health Department rather than the need for patients to go through State and Federal SAS approval.
it's a great start to 2016 with Regulation 270A amended as this has paved the way for more medical cannabis reform inititives to proceed in Queensland and the Medical Cannabis Advisory Group’s proposal and lobbying was at the heart of this historic progress in Queensland, and as an MCAG supporter you helped make it happen!
Looking back at some of the highlights of what you helped accomplish in 2015!
At the start of 2015 the MCAG was founded to give Queesland patients and carers a voice at a State and Federal level and to advocate for medical cannabis law reform initiatives.​
The development of a patient medical cannabis treatment plan with informed consent form and guidelines.
The first of four of our petitions was launched in March calling for an amnesty and for Regulations to be amended to remove the State prohibition on cannabis, the introduction of a state-wide photo identification medical cannabis program, funding and support services and more.​
In May the MCAG submitted the first patient focused and driven medical cannabis law reform proposal to the Queensland Government with clear guidelines for an amnesty program.
Attended the Senate inquiry in Brisbane where Lanai gave evidence about the use of medical cannabis for the treatment of a brain tumour, epilepsy, nausea and pain and how medical cannabis treatment is recommended and delivered in the US.
Advocated in Lindsay’s case for Federal and State approval to access his recommended medical cannabis treatment under his Queensland doctor through the Federal Therapeutic Goods Special Access Scheme raising the awareness that all Australian patients could potentially access all forms of cannabis through the SAS regardless of age or medical condition.
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In Lindsay’s case initiated Federal Administrative Appeal Tribunal action in September against the Federal Health Minister moving the TGA to advise they can approve Lindsay’s doctor to treat him under Category B to avoid what would have been an historic and precedent Federal legal case but the import application process is yet to be finalized.
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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.
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.
Meetings with elected officials including the Health Minister and Communities Minister
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Represented the patient and carer’s perspective at meetings and discussions with health advisors and government officials​
Provided up-to date information on medical cannabis and the laws to thousands through MCAG’s Facebook page and websiteEducated thousands of patients on cannabis as a medicine
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Represented the patient’s perspective in the media and in the communityConsulted 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 goal of safe, affordable and legal access to medical cannabis for every Queensland patient who is using icannabis or considering using it. However a lot more needs to be done in 2016 as we still need specific regulations for cultivation licenses for a local industry to be established here in Queensland, health and safety standards for the cultivation, production and supply of cannabis from seed through to dispensing and education, training and support services.
We also still need urgent protection for patients who are growing cannabis themselves or obtaining it from the black market and who live in fear of criminal charges and prosecution and for parents who risk the intervention of child services as well as funding for patients suffering financial hardship.Lanai,
Hazel and I would like to thank everyone for their ongoing support and a huge thank you to our families and friends who, without their support, none of this would have been achieved. We look forward to more positive changes for all patients and carers in 2016!