Medical cannabis is officially coming to Australia’s most conservative state – Queensland – after the State Government passed new laws last night.
What is surprising, however, is how much more relaxed the laws are compared with NSW and Victoria.
MORE: Medical cannabis in NSW – what does it mean?
The laws are essentially two-tiered: specialists like oncologists and palliative care specialists will be able to prescribe the drug, while other doctors like GPs can simply apply for permission when they believe a patient is suffering from certain conditions.
MORE: Medical cannabis formally legalised in Oz
The bill was passed unanimously and will come into effect from March 2017.
“Queensland is leading Australia in providing a pathway to access medicinal cannabis treatment for those who need it most, in a safe, controlled way,” Health Minister Cameron Dick told the ABC.
He named the scheme as “the most flexible in the country”.
While growing medical cannabis is these days federally legal with a licence, only NSW and Victoria have cultivation schemes. Time will tell what will happen in regards to Queensland’s dope supply.
