After rejecting an application for a trial two months ago, Michael Ferguson tells an inquiry he would support a clinical trial
Tasmania’s health minister supports trials of medicinal cannabis in the state, he has told a parliamentary inquiry.
Michael Ferguson rejected a bid for a trial in the state in July, raising health and security concerns, but told an upper house committee on Monday a trial could be possible if subject to strong regulation.
The committee is examining legalised medicinal cannabis and the Liberal government has made its submission.
“We support appropriately conducted clinical trials, feeding into the existing national medicines regulatory framework,” Ferguson said in a statement.
“We will objectively consider any proposal regarding a trial of medicinal cannabis on a case-by-case basis.”
Ferguson said the government supported the potential use of medicinal cannabis, but it must be subject to an evidence-based approach and strong regulatory frameworks.
“This is a complex issue that requires research and evidence,” he said. “We are not going to put the cart before the horse as Labor and the Greens would have us do, compromising the safety of Tasmanians by making this a political decision rather than a medical one.”
Last month the Victorian health minister, David Davis, announced he would amend the law to allow clinical trials of medical cannabis.