spent exploring its harms . Australia itself has an impressive collection of naysayers , antagonists and sceptics ready and willing to immerse themselves in the development – or throttling – of the Commonwealth ’ s ‘ medical cannabis initiative ’. Some are already at work on a project called ‘ Cannabis and cannabinoids for medicinal purposes : Reviewing the evidence ‘ which will produce guidelines for healthcare practitioners at the end of 2017 .
Finding experts in favour of the drug with research papers under their belt or those with experience in actually administering it is likely to be far more difficult though a few do exist in this country . But it is overseas to which the Government should really look if it is ever to get serious on cannabis . In the US and Israel in particular real progress has been made , and sound knowledge acquired . America even has its own societies of ‘ cannabis clinicians ’ while Israeli studies into the drug ’ s use in a variety of settings is held in the highest repute .
Patient representation is crucial for the new Council too – without it the Government will arguably be falling down on its own Medicines Policy and Quality Use of Medicines Strategy as well as sending a powerful signal that where individual health and well-being are concerned it really couldn ’ t care less .
So , a lot of eyes will be on the Health Department over what it decides to do next . With State Elections on the horizon and activists getting more restive it may yet find itself forced to do what many would call the ‘ right thing ’. Which is to deliver on its promise and make medical cannabis genuinely available throughout Australia to those needing it rather than merely pay lip service to the idea . http :// amcsignpost . net / new-med-cannabis-advisorycouncil /