New South Wales is leading the world with its $12m medicinal cannabis research centre, the state’s premier, Mike Baird, says.
The centre for medicinal cannabis research and innovation will be headed up by the NSW chief scientist, Mary O’Kane.
It will seek to enable experts to share their world-class research and support the production of safe, reliable and affordable cannabis-based medicines.
“All of us have been moved by the stories we have seen, people who are suffering in all types of situations and circumstances and there is clear anecdotal evidence medical cannabis is making a difference,” Baird said outside Blacktown hospital on Sunday.
“We have said let’s get the best minds in the country working on this and that’s what the NSW centre of medical cannabis will do.
“It is clear that NSW is leading not only the nation, the Asia Pacific and indeed the world in this.”
The centre will receive $12m over four years. It will work alongside partners such as the Lambert Initiative, which was established on Friday thanks to a $33.7m gift to University of Sydney from Barry and Jo Lambert. Their eyes were opened to the possibilities of medicinal cannabis through their granddaughter who suffers debilitating epilepsy.
The Lambert Initiative has agreed to be one of the inaugural network partners for the centre.
“[I] look forward to other organisations and institutes joining us as we attempt to alleviate the suffering of seriously ill members of our community,” Baird said.