Australia legalizes cannabis for medical and scientific purposes

Australia has one of the highest rates of cannabis use in the world, and cannabis is widely used illegally.

One-third of Australians over the age of 22 (6 million people) have tried cannabis, with more than one million of them having used it in 2015. 750,000 people smoke it every week, and 300,000 every day.

While recreational use remains illegal in Australia, the country has chosen not to continue its repressive policies and instead to support harm reduction and a therapeutic framework.

Politicians across the political spectrum supported legalization medical cannabis. The Australian government therefore passed a measure yesterday that amends the Narcotic Drugs Act and allows cannabis to be grown and used for medical and scientific purposes.

«This is a historic day for Australia and for the many advocates of legalization who have long fought to advance the cause of medical cannabis and to ensure that patients are no longer treated as criminals,» said Sussan Ley, Minister of Health.

The decision comes one year after the death of Daniel Haslam, who died of colon cancer and used medical cannabis to relieve his pain and nausea. Daniel’s mother, Lucy, was an advocate for the legalization of medical cannabis. She founded the group United in Compassion, who launched a petition calling on Australian politicians to legalize the medical use of cannabis.

Other patients praised the government, while some cancer survivors expressed disappointment that the decision had not been made sooner.

Medical cannabis was legalized yesterday, but Australia will need some time to put the regulations and licensing system for cannabis cultivation in place. Patients will also have to wait to find out where they can obtain their medication.

On the other hand, we know of one sloth who should be happy 😉