Locally manufactured cannabis products to be legal “in exceptional circumstances” from 2017.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has just announced the legalisation of locally manufactured cannabis products, which will be able to be accessed in 2017 following the implementation of recommendations in a report from the Victorian Law Reform Commission which was tabled today.
The Commission has made 40 recommendations, with a key step being to establish cultivation and manufacturing industries in Victoria “to support an ongoing and reliable supply of medicinal cannabis for patients”.
Recommendations also detail appropriate clinical oversight involving specialists, general practitioners, nurses and pharmacists.
The Government will begin a cultivation trial at a Victorian research facility which is overseen by the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, which will be given new regulatory functions to license growers.
The Commission recommends that eligibility for the scheme be based on a range of conditions and symptoms, including severe muscle spams or pain from multiple sclerosis; severe pain, nausea, vomiting or wasting arising from cancer or HIV/AIDS; severe seizures resulting from epileptic conditions where other treatment options have failed or have intolerable side effects; or severe chronic pain with the approval of two specialists.
The Government has also accepted the Commission’s recommendation to establish an independent medical advisory committee on medicinal cannabis which will provide advice about expanding availability to further patient groups.
More information in tomorrow’s issue of Pharmacy Daily.