Medical marijuana: doctors support Victorian Labor leader on legalisation

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Opposition leader Daniel Lewis says Victorians with severe conditions should not have to break the law for relief

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Victorian Labor wants to legalise cannabis oil to treat life-threatening conditions. Photograph: Rick Wilking/Reuters

Victorians with life-threatening and chronic conditions should be able to access medicinal marijuana without breaking the law, the state opposition has said.

Labor wants to legalise cannabis oil to treat conditions such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, HIV/Aids, glaucoma and Parkinson’s disease.

The opposition leader, Daniel Andrews, said cannabis should be available for people who needed treatment in exceptional circumstances, but he ruled out legalising marijuana for recreational use.

“In some cases parents are forced to choose between breaking the law and watching their child suffer,” Andrews said.

“Children are in pain, families are suffering, people are living in fear and outdated laws are getting in the way.”

The move comes after public campaigns by Victorian families who have successfully treated their chronically ill children when other medicines have not worked.

If elected in November Labor will seek advice from the Victorian Law Reform Commission on the prescription, manufacture and distribution of medical cannabis.

Labor has said it will not legalise smoking marijuana for medical purposes.