NEWS: The Advertiser - 27/04/07 'Marijuana on prescription'

Marijuana 'on prescription'
NICK HENDERSON
April 27, 2007 02:15am

MARIJUANA would be prescribed by doctors in South Australia for medicinal purposes under planned legislation.

Democrats MP Sandra Kanck yesterday said a bill was being drafted to prevent people using the drug for medicinal purposes from being fined.

She said some doctors already were advising patients to use marijuana to help manage their pain.

Australian Medical Association state president Chris Cain has supported the move but only if certain conditions are met.

"We don't disagree with the concept of marijuana for medicinal purposes but it needs to be in a standardised form," he said.

But the AMA doesn't support inhaled marijuana.

Anti-drugs MP Ann Bressington said the move sent the wrong message about drug use.

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The Advertiser

Definitely a step in the right direction. We're lagging behind the rest of the world on this one - even the Americans, with their highly conservative views on cannabis, have medicinal laws in place in many states.

I wonder to what extent this bill would potentially prevent people from being fined for their cannabis use. They really need to allow someone with a medicinal need for it, not just to be able to use it, but also to be able to grow it for themselves without having to rely on the "black market".

Laws similar to Canada would be very ideal. People with a medicinal need for it can obtain a permit to grow enough plants to supply their needs. A security system is mandatory, to prevent people stealing it for illegitimate use. The police know where legitimate grows are and can protect them (as opposed to ripping them up like here). The electrical setup also needs to be checked by professionals. The previous information was gathered from the "Urban grower" videos on youtube, which basically tours legal grows in Canada.

But the AMA doesn't support inhaled marijuana.

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But surely they would know that marijuana doesn't need to be inhaled to provide effects.

Anti-drugs MP Ann Bressington said the move sent the wrong message about drug use.

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they must have a jar with little pieces of paper with things like "sends the wrong message about drug use." and "Marijuana is a gateway drug" printed on them. Because she obviously isnt using her head when making that statement.