Premier Mike Baird has indicated he may support a private member's bill to decriminalise canabis use by terminally ill patients for medicinal purposes.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Premier has allowed Tamworth Nationals MP Kevin Anderson to work on the bill.
The debate was ignited by one of Mr Anderson's constituents - Tamworth’s Dan Haslam.
Twenty-four-year old Mr Haslam has terminal cancer and has been using cannabis to relieve nausea suffered as a result of chemotherapy treatment.
He and and his family have campaigned for change along with local leaders and the community.
Mr Baird's comments followed an announcement on Tuesday by Greens MP John Kaye of a Bill designed to protect certified medical users of cannabis from criminal prosecution.
Mr Kaye said it was time for policy ‘‘driven by compassion and science, not hysteria and prejudice’’.
In light of the Premier's comments that the Government would give "careful consideration'' to the Bill, Mr Kaye said he would gladly delay moving his bill to allow Mr Anderson time to develop and proceed with his legislation.
"Mr Anderson has indicated that the Premier is now showing some sympathy for the plight of patients with terminal illness and their carers.
"Although we are not there yet, it is a big step forward from where we were a month ago.''
