2015-12-02
The Greens say the Turnbull Government has failed to deliver legal access to medicinal cannabis to Australians who've been expecting it by the end of this year.
"Patients need access to this medication, and they shouldn't have to break the law to get it," said Greens Leader Dr Richard Di Natale.
"The test of any medicinal cannabis legislation is whether it allows patients with medically approved conditions to legally and affordably access medicinal cannabis products through their doctor.
"The Greens have been working with the government in good faith but their announcement only deals with cultivation, not access for patients. It is a missed opportunity.
"Doctors should be able to prescribe cannabis and patients should be able to collect it from the pharmacy, like any other medication.
"I introduced a cross-party bill to achieve that with Ian Macdonald, David Leyjonhelm, Anne Urquhart, Sharman Stone, Melissa Parke and Warren Entsch in the middle of last year.
"We were assured that the government was taking action, but an announcement to do half the job at some time in the never-never is a huge disappointment for those people who are suffering and need urgent access to effective medication," Senator Di Natale said.
"The Turnbull Government is condemning users of medicinal cannabis to another Christmas as criminals."