Growing trials for medicinal cannabis may be allowed in Tasmanian after the State Government changed its earlier position.
Health Minister Michael Ferguson has told a parliamentary committee the Government would support «appropriately conducted clinical research.»
The shift in the Government’s stance has been labelled a backflip by Greens MP Cassy O’Connor.
In July, Mr Ferguson rejected a bid for a trial in Tasmania, telling proponents he was concerned about security and the potential for social harm.
The Upper House has since launched an inquiry into medicinal cannabis.
Mr Ferguson has revealed he made a written submission to the inquiry stating he would support a trial under the right circumstances.
«We do support appropriately conducted clinical research to allow any claims of that nature to be tested, in the correct and robust way, in an evidence-based robust fashion, where it is science not politics that determines what new medicines enter the legal drug supply in Australia,» he said.
«We will objectively consider any proposal regarding a trial of medicinal cannabis on a case-by-case basis.»
The Greens’ Cassy O’Connor described the move as a welcome backflip.
«For those Tasmanians who are suffering from chronic conditions, or the after affects of chemotherapy, to hear that the health minister of Tasmania has bowed to significant public pressure and left the door open to a trial is a very positive development,» she said.
In July, the mother of an eight-year-old girl who stopped having seizures after taking medicinal cannabis accused Mr Ferguson of not doing his research.
«I don’t think my daughter’s health should be limited by a small number of politicians who maybe haven’t done their research,» she said.
But Mr Ferguson said his Government had never ruled out a medicinal cannabis industry.
«Our Government is in actual fact very compassionate and sincerely compassionate in wishing to respond to this, particularly for those Tasmanians and their loved ones who believe that this is their answer for their medical condition,» he said.
The company that made the initial proposal to the State Government, Tasman Health Cannabinoids (THC), took its proposal to Norfolk Island after it was rejected by Tasmania.
Norfolk Island’s Government initially accepted the proposal only to have it overturned by the island’s administrator, former Liberal MP Gary Hardgrave in August.
Shortly after Mr Hardgrave’s veto of the operation, Mr Ferguson said it «vindicated» his initial stance.
«I think it does vindicate the approach the Tasmanian Government has taken,» he said at the time.
THC is yet to comment, but had indicated it would be open to revisiting its proposal to the Tasmanian Government were to change its stance.
CEO Troy Langman had said Tasmania was his preferred choice because of its climate.
Comentarios recientes