New laws that will allow for medical trials of cannabis will be introduced into the Victorian Parliament today.
The drug is currently listed as a prohibited substance by the Therapeutic Goods Administration, but there is growing support to allow the drug to be used by people suffering from terminal illnesses.
Victorian Health Minister David Davis said the legislation would amend the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act to support “properly-structured clinical trials” with ethical approvals in place.
“This is about making it easier for properly-constructed clinical trials to occur,” he said.
“This is one part of ensuring that proper medicinal products are available in a safe way.”
In August, the Victorian Labor Party pledged to legalise medical cannabis if it won the November election.
The Opposition said the drug should be made available for use to treat people with terminal illnesses or life-threatening conditions.
Medical cannabis can be used to help treat people with life-threatening seizures and to offset the side-effects of chemotherapy.