Tasmanian mother defends medicinal cannabis

[waterboy 2.0]

Tasmanian mother defends medicinal cannabis, takes tincture in front of Premier Will Hodgman

• MATT SMITH State Political Editor
• Mercury
• September 18, 2014 11:50AM

Kingston mother Nicole Cowles says medicinal cannabis has all but cured her daughter’s chronic seizures. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

A TASMANIAN mother who says a cannabinoid tincture cured her daughter’s seizures has taken the medication in front of Premier Will Hodgman in a bid to show him it has no side effects.

Nicole Cowles has told a Parliamentary committee looking into a medicinal cannabis trial in Tasmania that she took the medication in Mr Hodgman’s presence on Saturday.

“This drug is a very safe,” Ms Cowles said.

“There are very few side effects.

“It should not be a schedule nine drug.”

The calls came as Mr Hodgman told Tasmanian Parliament he was willing to take the issue to the next COAG meeting in Canberra.

Ms Cowles said she had searched for nine years, and tried 10 to 15 medications, for a product that would help to cure her daughter’s seizures.

“I want to be able to tell people that this is a miracle but you can’t because it sounds like you are selling snake oil,” she said.

Ms Cowles said she wanted the product to be regulated, particularly for children.

“I am fairly sure I’m getting a safe product at the moment,” she said.

“But season to season, batch to batch it can be variable.

“That is why we need to have a best practice model.”

Eric Ratcliff, representing the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists said there were links between cannabis and schizophrenia.

“We are not hostile to the idea of medicinal cannabis,” he said.

“But there is a concern that much of the evidence that has become public is anecdotal.”

Dr Ratcliff said it was important an analysis of all available evidence was established as part of a trial.

“Approximately one in 10 of us inherit the genes that make us susceptible to schizophrenia,” he said.

“The use of cannabis in adolescence greatly enhances the risk of a disorder.”

He said there are fears the Parliamentary inquiry was assisting a theory “that this is a safe drug without dangers, but that it is not the case”.

[email protected]

http://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/tasmanian-mother-defends-medicinal-cannabis-takes-tincture-in-front-of-premier-will-hodgman/story-fnj4f7k1-1227062560246

....I tip my hat ....you have "balls" love, and WBs respect

EDIT - would also love to ask Eric Ratcliff, (representing the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists) about how many of the associations members prescribe medicine that is "..a safe drug without dangers."

Edited September 19, 2014 by waterboy

[waterboy 2.0]

but also at the Tasmanian parliamentary committee....

hoping for a transcipt, but.....we have had Glynn Williams ( Tasmanian Poppy Growers Association) put forward on ABC radio their "members" views that ther have concerns over the security of a medicinal cannabis grow.......and how it may affect their industry.

"They" are also worried about the harm that cannabis can cause (shortened and roughly quoted)

Tasmanian poppy security at its best......lol

lol....looks like the tourists found the same paddock as well.....

Edited September 19, 2014 by waterboy

[waterboy 2.0]

thought i better add this here.....

Medicinal cannabis: Tas Government rejects call to decriminalise drug for medical use

Posted

Thu at 12:24amThu 20 Nov 2014, 12:24am

Photo: Health Minister Michael Ferguson said it was not necessary to decriminalise cannabis for the treatment of some medical conditions.

Related Story: Should cannabis be legalised for medical use?

Related Story: Tas Greens back legal change for medicinal cannabis

Map: Hobart 7000

The Tasmanian Government has swiftly rejected a recommendation from an Upper House committee that it urgently move to decriminalise medicinal cannabis.

The committee's interim report makes six recommendations, including the immediate protection of people who are using or helping others use cannabis to treat medical conditions.

Independent MP Mike Gaffney urged quick action.

"There were some very emotional scenes from people who live with the impacts of their child not being able to access protective medicinal cannabis," he said.

But in a statement Health Minister Michael Ferguson said the Government would not legislate to protect medicinal cannabis users from prosecution.

The inquiry's chairwoman Ruth Forrest said it was "extremely frustrating".

"The police have said that they were basically turning a blind eye to this," she said.

"That's fine that they would treat that with such discretion.

"But the law says that you can't possess and you can't use cannabis in any form, and so it's unfortunate the police have to be put in that position, and the law should reflect the reality."

Ms Forrest said the recommendations were supported by all committee members, including Liberal MLC Leonie Hiscutt.

"Leonie Hiscutt was very much a part of the inquiry, and in support of the recommendations as they are," she said.

But that was contradicted by Ms Hiscutt, who in a statement said she did not agree with every recommendation, in particular the need for legislation.

Earlier this year, the Government rejected an application for a Tasmanian company to trial growing medicinal cannabis.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-20/tas-government-rejects-call-to-decriminalise-medicinal-cannabis/5907574

desperate need of facepalm emoticon....

[-RC-]

Bahahahaha, police turning a blind eye. FARKIN BULLSHIT BRO!

Why would you turn a blind eye to a sitting duck. Gots to get those quotas ya know.

Truly fucked and gutless Tasmanian polies, but what can you expect?

[waterboy 2.0]

A bullshit review at best.....

The Tasmanian Government is compassionate to the suffering of patients

who seek relief from symptoms such as pain, nausea and vomiting induced by cancer treatments and those suffering chronic conditions such as epilepsy and multiple sclerosis.

http://www.parliament.tas.gov.au/ctee/Council/Submissions/LMC%20Tas%20Gov%20submissions/Tas%20Govt%20%20Submission%20final14.09.08.pdf

Edited November 21, 2014 by waterboy