Study: 100% Of Those with Migraines, Fibromyalgia and IBS Find Reduction Of Pain with Marijuana

Migraines, Fibromyalgia and IBS
One-hundred percent (100%) of people with migraine headache, fibromyalgia or irritable bowel syndrome who use medical marijuana for a minimum of 30 days report a reduction in pain and discomfort, a 6-month study conducted by Care By Design found.

People included in the survey suffer from a range of different conditions,...

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Australian medical cannabis licensing scheme on the way

Australian medical cannabis licensing scheme

CANNABIS will be able to be grown in Australian states for medicinal use under a national scheme, streamlining what could be a new industry for farmers.

Federal Minister for Health Sussan Ley today announced plans for a singular licensing scheme for the controlled cultivation of the plant, to ensure consistency across the country.

It means states will no longer have to create their own cultivation laws — such as those Victoria had flagged in October — and removes the risk of differing legislation from state to state.

Ms Ley said the decision was made in consultation with the states, and law enforcement agencies.

“Allowing controlled cultivation locally will provide the critical “missing piece” for a sustainable legal supply of safe medicinal cannabis products for Australian patients in the future,” Ms Ley said.

“The ball is now rolling and we are making sure that happens as quickly and smoothly as possible.”

An exposure draft of the legislative changes would be provided to stakeholders this week, with the legislation to be introduced to Parliament early next year.

“We want to not only ensure these legislative amendments are rock solid, but that we can all work together to pass them in a bipartisan fashion as quickly as possible,” Ms Ley said.

“The important point is legislative changes are drafted and we’ve hit the start button for change.”

The push to allow medicinal marijuana has gathered momentum this year, with Victoria, NSW and Queensland all conducting trials, and the Federal Greens introducing legislation to legalise the cultivation and growth of the drug for medical purposes.

The Victorian Farmers Federation has expressed its support for a medicinal marijuana industry. Many believe it could have economic benefits similar to Tasmania’s $100 million poppy industry, which contributes to 50 per cent of the world’s opiates.

 

reference: http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/agribusiness/cropping/australian-medical-cannabis-licensing-scheme-on-the-way/story-fnker6ee-1227631097520

written by NATALIE KOTSIOS

Medicinal marijuana: Couple wants jury to decide drugs charges

Matthew and Elizabeth Pallett at home with their dog Champ. Photo: Joe Armao

A Melbourne couple who supplied medicinal marijuana to the chronically ill say they'll take their fight against serious drugs charges to a jury, and are prepared to be jailed for their beliefs.

Matthew and Elizabeth Pallett​, who provided medical cannabis products to people with multiple sclerosis, cancer, epilepsy, fibromyalgia and Crohn's disease, face charges of cultivating, possessing and trafficking cannabis at a time when governments are moving to legalise medical cannabis.

About five years ago the couple established a "compassion club" and began openly providing cannabis-based tinctures, chocolates and butters to regular clients.

They were charged following a police raid on their Carrum Downs home in May. Police say they seized about five kilograms of marijuana.

Mr Pallett told Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday he and his wife wanted their cases decided by a County Court jury rather than a magistrate and would represent themselves, as they could not afford a lawyer and Victoria Legal Aid would not fund their cases at a trial.

A guilty verdict in the higher court could potentially mean tougher penalties.

Outside court, Mr Pallett, 54, said he and his wife, 65, wanted a jury to decide their fate because "the people have the right to say that a law is not valid by just refusing to uphold it".

A magistrate, he said, was a government employee and bound to uphold the law.

The Pallets, who are on disability pensions and use cannabis to self-medicate their respective health problems, plan to represent themselves at trial, "unless we have a QC step in and do it pro bono".

But they remain confident they can win.

"I don't think a jury of people here in Melbourne would consider that compassion is a crime," Mr Pallett said.

"Compassion is what we should be doing, not ... turning people into criminals for."

With a group of about 10 supporters behind them, the couple said they had witnesses to provide evidence, including relatives of past clients. Those clients had found pain relief when using the Palletts' products but had died in the months since they could no longer be supplied.

Even if found guilty, the couple said they were "absolutely" prepared to go to jail in support of their beliefs.

"I know we've done nothing wrong. All we've done is helped people who needed help. That's not a crime," Mr Pallett said.

In court on Wednesday the Palletts were given permission to cross-examine a botanist and the policeman in charge of the investigation at their committal hearing, which is scheduled for February.

The court heard police were yet to return to Mrs Pallett her mobile phone, which was seized in the raid.

Prosecutor David Bosso said the phone had been booked in for analysis. Magistrate Charlie Rozencwajg told the couple to apply to the court to have the phone returned.

Mrs Pallett muttered an insult to the investigating policeman as she and her supporters left court.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/medicinal-marijuana-couple-wants-jury-to-decide-drugs-charges-20151202-gldiv7.html#ixzz3t8wVnN50
By Adam Cooper

Police destroy ‘good medicine’ say cannabis activists

Police destroy ‘good medicine’ say cannabis activists


Police destroy ‘good medicine’ say cannabis activists
A police helicopter winches cannabis plants during raids. (supplied)

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