THE state government has quashed the recommendations of a parliamentary inquiry calling for the decriminalisation of medical cannabis. A Legislative Council committee investigating legalised medical cannabis urged the government to take immediate action to provide legal protection to those using the medicine or administering it to sick children. The inquiry found evidence of a significant number of Tasmanians using medical cannabis for serious conditions where other medications had failed. "These individuals and those involved in the supply and administration of this medication are at risk of prosecution under Tasmanian law," the report said. But Health Minister Michael Ferguson immediately ruled out making the necessary legislative changes. The government last month voted down a Greens bill framed under similar terms. "Advice from Tasmania Police is it's not necessary and could potentially create a new set of problems including opening up the risk that people would self-medicate, with no licensing or limit to quantity," he said. "The Police Commissioner has said Tasmania Police will not seek to criminally pursue terminally ill users of cannabis." Inquiry chairwoman Ruth Forrest said relying on police discretion was not good enough. "We shouldn't expect our police to ignore aspects of the law," Ms Forrest said. "What we should be doing is changing the laws based on compassionate grounds to properly reflect society's expectations, until more permanent frameworks are in place." Liberal MLC Leonie Hiscutt signed off on the document and did not provide a dissenting report, but yesterday distanced herself from its findings. "It's important to place on the record that I did not agree with every recommendation, in particular the recommendation relating to the need for legislation," she said. Greens health spokeswoman Cassy O'Connor said there was no good reason to refuse the recommendation. "It demonstrates a profound lack of compassion and a deafness to those Tasmanians who are calling for reform," she said. Labor justice spokeswoman Lara Giddings said her party supported all six recommendations. "Unlike the Liberals, Labor supports change when it comes to medicinal cannabis and on behalf of the thousands of Tasmanians who petitioned for change, calls on the government to implement the committee's findings," Ms Giddings said. The inquiry also found a legislative framework should be established for the legal cultivation and supply of medicinal cannabis, arguing security issues were manageable and must not act as a barrier. The committee will travel interstate to hear further evidence before submitting a final report next year.
THE state government has quashed the recommendations of a parliamentary inquiry calling for the decriminalisation of medical cannabis.
A Legislative Council committee investigating legalised medical cannabis urged the government to take immediate action to provide legal protection to those using the medicine or administering it to sick children.
The inquiry found evidence of a significant number of Tasmanians using medical cannabis for serious conditions where other medications had failed.
"These individuals and those involved in the supply and administration of this medication are at risk of prosecution under Tasmanian law," the report said.
But Health Minister Michael Ferguson immediately ruled out making the necessary legislative changes.
The government last month voted down a Greens bill framed under similar terms.
"Advice from Tasmania Police is it's not necessary and could potentially create a new set of problems including opening up the risk that people would self-medicate, with no licensing or limit to quantity," he said.
"The Police Commissioner has said Tasmania Police will not seek to criminally pursue terminally ill users of cannabis."
Inquiry chairwoman Ruth Forrest said relying on police discretion was not good enough.
"We shouldn't expect our police to ignore aspects of the law," Ms Forrest said.
"What we should be doing is changing the laws based on compassionate grounds to properly reflect society's expectations, until more permanent frameworks are in place."
Liberal MLC Leonie Hiscutt signed off on the document and did not provide a dissenting report, but yesterday distanced herself from its findings.
"It's important to place on the record that I did not agree with every recommendation, in particular the recommendation relating to the need for legislation," she said.
Greens health spokeswoman Cassy O'Connor said there was no good reason to refuse the recommendation.
"It demonstrates a profound lack of compassion and a deafness to those Tasmanians who are calling for reform," she said.
Labor justice spokeswoman Lara Giddings said her party supported all six recommendations.
"Unlike the Liberals, Labor supports change when it comes to medicinal cannabis and on behalf of the thousands of Tasmanians who petitioned for change, calls on the government to implement the committee's findings," Ms Giddings said.
The inquiry also found a legislative framework should be established for the legal cultivation and supply of medicinal cannabis, arguing security issues were manageable and must not act as a barrier. The committee will travel interstate to hear further evidence before submitting a final report next year.
