TASMANIA could become the nation’s supplier of cannabis for medicinal use under a plan to be considered by the State Government this week.
As the push to legalise cannabis for medical use gains momentum around the nation, Tasmania is being touted as the best-placed jurisdiction for developing the industry.
And the State Government indicated yesterday it was open to looking into the pharmaceutical benefits of cannabis – although it drew the line at decriminalising “smoking pot”.
A delegation including New South Wales MPs and local company Tasman Health Cannabinoids will meet the Tasmanian Government this week about a clinical study into the anti-nausea benefits of cannabis for chemotherapy patients.
Health Minister Michael Ferguson said yesterday he did not want to legalise cannabis for recreational use but he was open to the health benefits of “cannabinoids” in a medicinal sense.
“I’m certainly going to be willing to listen to what they have to say,” he said.
Former Labor MP Allison Ritchie, who is operations director for Tasman Health Cannabinoids, said the industry would not only have the “moral” benefit of helping people with illness, but also provide an economic stimulus for the state.
“This has enormous economic potential,” she said.
Ms Ritchie said Tasmania had already proven it was able to control and supply poppies for medicinal opiates, so should be considered a frontrunner for a pharmaceutical cannabinoids industry.
Tasman Health Cannabinoids chief executive Troy Langman said Tasmania was also an ideal location because, as an island, the state had natural security.
He said the first priority was to help “relieve the needless suffering” of many patients – but Tasmania would also enjoy the economic spin-offs of a growing industry.
Mr Langman will be part of the delegation meeting Mr Ferguson tomorrow before a discussion with other stakeholders on Wednesday.
The NSW delegation includes MP Kevin Anderson, who is drafting a private member’s Bill to legalise medicinal cannabis for the terminally ill in that state.
Shadow attorney-general Lara Giddings said it was time for mature discussions about the social and economic benefits of medicinal cannabis.