Dad gives toddler cannabis for cancer

A desperate Queensland father who gave his toddler cannabis oil to treat her aggressive stomach cancer has been released on a good behaviour bond.

The 32-year-old Cairns man pleaded guilty in the Brisbane Supreme Court on Wednesday to supplying the drug to his two-and-a-half-year-old daughter by cooking it into her food in December 2014.

The father was told his little girl had a 50/50 chance of surviving an aggressive stomach cancer and turned to the internet for help. Photo: 7 News

The court heard the father had been dosing the toddler for a few days when the child's mother confronted him as to why the food had a funny smell and taste.

Prosecutor Glenn Cash said he thought the drug would help cure his daughter after researching on the internet and speaking to others about its benefits, and wanted to delay the child's chemotherapy in order to give it to her.

Mr Cash said the father, who can't be named for legal reasons, had ordered the drug online from northern NSW and California and believed it was having a positive effect on her when he was caught.

On Boxing Day 2014, he sent a text saying: "Oils are in. Little monkey's eating heaps of meatballs with oil."

The court heard the drug had neither a harmful nor beneficial effect on the child other than increasing her appetite and making her sleepy.

Justice Peter Flanagan said what the father did was "wrong and illegal" and he couldn't have known what effect the cannabis oil would have on his daughter, what was in the oil or how it would react to her other medications.

However, he did hold a genuine belief that it would help her and he said he appreciated the desperation of a parent with a child suffering from a life-threatening cancer.

The court heard the father had lost his job of 12 years at a local school after he was charged because he could no longer hold a blue card and a community service order would adversely effect his ability to see his daughter, who remains gravely ill.

Justice Flanagan sentenced the man to a two-year good behaviour bond and did not record a criminal conviction.

As he left court, the father was cheered by supporters of medicinal marijuana and told reporters he was "glad it was over" and was looking forward to seeing his daughter.

This father sentenced to a two-year good behaviour bond for giving cannabis oil to his toddler, believing it would treat cancer. Photo: 7 News

Other parents who use the illegal drug for their children have told 7 News they are encouraged by the sentencing.

Michelle Whitelaw said her son, Jai, would not be alive today if she was not breaking the law to give him medicinal cannabis.

She said his epileptic seizures have reduced dramatically since he started taking it.

Michelle Whitelaw says she administers medicinal cannabis to her son. Photo_ 7 News

"A lot of charges aren't being laid, police have discretionary powers and doctors aren't reporting," Ms Whitelaw said.

The Queensland Government plans to start clinical trials with medicinal cannabis later this year.

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