Geraldton MP backs use of medicinal marijuana
Geraldton MLA Ian Blayney has thrown his support behind the controversial use of medicinal marijuana.
The Liberal member said it needed to be seriously considered as an option to help the suffering.
He said the issue was brought to his attention when he encountered several constituents experiencing severe health problems.
Mr Blayney’s stance is unusual, given the Barnett Government is opposed.
“I think there is a place for medicinal marijuana in the medical community,” he told The Guardian.
“If it helps people in terrible pain then there should be access to it.
“I would have thought by now there would have been more data on medicinal marijuana and its effects on pain relief.
“There needs to be more research and education, and people should be able to trial it.”
Geraldton resident Phillip Hager said he had been advocating for medicinal marijuana since 2009, when a close family member had been diagnosed with a debilitating form of cancer.
Mr Hager and Mr Blayney wrote a letter to Minister for Health, Kim Hames, requesting a clinical trial on the drug for pain relief.
“People are living in a hell on earth and are experiencing pain like you wouldn’t believe,” Mr Hager said.
“There needs to be more research and a clinical trial into the use of medicinal marijuana.
“At the very least in the form of an ointment.
“If the option is there to help someone suffering in pain in a natural way then why can’t it be looked into?”
A spokesperson for Dr Hames said the Government’s position was that legalising cannabis use would send the wrong message to the community and undermine efforts to reduce illicit drug use and harm — particularly among young people.
According to the Australian Medical Association’s website, medicinal marijuana has been licensed in some countries, including Canada, the USA, Great Britain and Germany, for the treatment of severe spasticity in multiple sclerosis, nausea and vomiting due to cytotoxics, and loss of appetite and cachexia associated with AIDS.
While the association admits there is a growing body of evidence medicinal marijuana can be effective in pain treatment, it says risks associated with long-term use are less well understood.
It also cites the risk of dependence and cardiovascular disease — and says the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes is at best experimental.
Opposition Leader Mark McGowan told The Guardian he believed it was appropriate for doctors to prescribe medicinal cannabis when other medications failed.
“Why should anyone suffer in agony if there’s another way to relieve their pain?” he said.
“This is about using pharmaceutically-produced tablets or sprays. It’s not about growing your own. It’s not about recreational use.
“I remain opposed to any softening or liberalising of our drug laws.
“I oppose the decriminalisation, cultivation or use of recreational cannabis. Full stop.”
