Australia Senate Committee Unanimously Backs the Legalization of Medical Cannabis

Australia Senate Committee Unanimously Backs the Legalization of Medical Cannabis

Australia’s Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee has voted unanimously to recommend a bill that would legalize the production, distribution and use of cannabis for medical purposes.

The bill would establish a medical cannabis regulator which would be “responsible for formulating rules for licensing the production, manufacture, supply, use, experimental use and import and export of medicinal cannabis”. An amendment was approved that ensures scientific evidence is used to determine which ailments qualify someone to use the medicine.

The proposal is co-sponsored by Senators Ian MacDonald, Anne Urquhart and David Leyonhjelm.

According to polling released last year, only 14% of those in Australia oppose legalizing medical cannabis, with 65% in support. Two months after release of this poll, Australia Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced his support for legalizing medical cannabis.

– TheJointBlog