Australia: MMJ cultivation might be possible in Victoria as Government moves to legalise cannabis oil

Victoria could begin growing marijuana for medicinal purposes, as the Andrews Government moves to legalise the use of cannabis oil in exceptional circumstances. The Government received a Victorian Law Reform Commission report on how to go about making it legal, which will be tabled in Parliament in the next fortnight.

The state does not have the power to import the drug, leading to the likelihood it would need to be grown locally. The Government made a pre-election promise to legalise medicinal cannabis oil for "exceptional circumstances".

Health Minister Jill Hennessey said medicinal cannabis oil could make a huge difference when other medicines did not work. "I've met many parents whose use of medicinal cannabis has significantly changed the quality of life of their children — these are kids with severe epilepsy, and a range of other syndromes," she said.

"It seems appropriate that Victoria could produce its own supply, after all Australia already produces opium poppies for the production of morphine in Tasmania.

"But obviously the cultivation would have to be quite secure. Access would have to be restricted."

He said poppies had proven to be one of the major drivers of Tasmania's economy, and it could provide a boost in Victoria.

Greens leader Greg Barber said he supported the move, but it would need co-operation from Canberra.

"You've got everything from the growing, the production, the prescribing and the consumption that all needs legal support, and much of that is covered under federal law," he said.

Source: abc.net.au