January 11, 2015
NSW needs a more ambitious medicinal cannabis program than the scheme being proposed by the Baird government, Labor leader Luke Foley says.
The NSW government is planning a $9 million trial for medicinal cannabis that has the potential to treat children with severe epilepsy, terminally ill adults and those undergoing chemotherapy.
Under new guidelines, police will have the discretion not to charge terminally-ill cannabis users and carers who assist them for breaking drug laws.
Speaking in Sydney on Sunday, Mr Foley said a “more ambitious” approach, involving changes to drug laws, was needed.
“The law should disappear from the statute books,” Mr Foley told reporters in Strathfield.
“I’d like to see us cross party lines here and change the law so that the terminally ill and their loved ones need never fear prosecution.
“I want to … give people experiencing terrible pain and suffering some hope.”
Mr Foley said he wanted the Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act changed “as a matter of urgency” in the first sitting week of parliament after the March state election.
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