Luke Howarth (Petrie, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

It is with pleasure that I rise to speak on the Narcotic Drugs Amendment Bill 2016. Marijuana is typically associated with the idea of illegality and disastrous side effects from its misuse. Misuse of this drug can result in severe damage, poor coordination and a slower reaction time, mood changes and paranoia.

A friend who lived in Brighton misused this drug on a regular basis some 10 or so years ago, and I saw how it affected him in a big way. He was unable to find work or hold down a job in any meaningful way. I believe that people who deal illegally in this drug should be punished. However, for many people marijuana can be a lifesaver to help them with their medical issues. It helps ease severe epilepsy, the pain of multiple sclerosis, muscle spasms and arthritis.

This bill is the missing piece for many families not just in my electorate but right around Australia because it will give Australian patients and doctors access to the medicinal cannabis products they need to manage painful and chronic conditions. The bill is a massive win for the people in my electorate who have fought long and hard to challenge the stigma around medicinal cannabis products. The bill will ensure that the supply of medicinal cannabis products is reliable, safe and legal. It will mean patients will not have to turn to the black market for cannabis and will ensure there is appropriate medical supervision.

Locally, I have had people see me in my electorate office and when I have been out and about in the community who support the changes we are talking about with this bill. I spoke with Noel Neville at Griffin recently while I was out doorknocking. His daughter has cancer and he believes medicinal cannabis would help relieve her pain. He said, 'So many lives would be saved.' He believes it would help treat some of the illnesses people have. Mr Squire from Kippa-Ring has a severe condition that can be relieved through the use of medicinal cannabis. I wrote to the Minister for Health, the Hon. Sussan Ley, on his behalf some time ago. Mr Austin from Fitzgibbon is also battling severe pain and has been very supportive of legalising medicinal cannabis.

I think that most people in the House of Reps and the Senate will support this bill 100 per cent because we know, as previous speakers have said, people who are undergoing chemotherapy or who have Tourette syndrome, AIDS or multiple sclerosis can be helped through the use of medicinal cannabis.

So how will it work? It is important to note that this bill does not legalise the cultivation of cannabis or use of cannabis outside of regulated medical purposes. I am not advocating for that. I do not agree with the Greens when they say that illegal drugs should be legal. They were talking that way about crack the other week as well. I believe that is crazy stuff. But, in relation to this bill, I do support it. Also, the bill will not make cannabis products available over the counter. What we are doing here is making sure that there is a secure supply chain of medicinal cannabis products from farm to the patient.

The fact is that patients can currently access cannabis for medicinal purposes under the supervision of their doctor. However, it is difficult to find suitable products. Australian patients, researchers and manufacturers have had to try to access international supplies of legal medicinal cannabis, and the supply has not always been there. Limited supplies and export barriers in other countries have made this expensive and difficult. Permitting the cultivation of cannabis in Australia for medicinal purposes will help address this sourcing and supply problem.

The Narcotic Drug Amendment Bill 2016 provides a legislative framework that will enable cannabis cultivation in Australia for medicinal and related research purposes. The Commonwealth will control all regulatory aspects of the cultivation of cannabis for medicinal purposes through one national scheme. Manufacturing will be a joint responsibility between the Commonwealth and the states and territories, which is consistent with the single convention obligations. This means perhaps a potential income source for the Commonwealth, which we would be able to use in other areas of Commonwealth spending, but most importantly in health.

I want to take this opportunity to congratulate and thank the Commonwealth Minister for Health, the Hon. Sussan Ley, for her advocacy of this legislation. She has been working with the Prime Minister and the department for months to draft and finalise this amendment bill. And I thank her for her time in taking my questions throughout this process.

The Narcotic Drugs Amendment Bill 2016 is about making sure Australians do not have to choose between breaking the law and providing relief for their chronically ill children or relatives. We do not currently have a safe, legal or reliable supply of locally-grown cannabis to allow the manufacture of therapeutic products or to satisfy demand. Today, I speak in support of this bill. To the many people who have come to see in my office in the Petrie electorate and when I have been out and about in the community: this is a win for you and I congratulate you on coming to see me and advocating for this over many, many years. I am sure that this bill will help Australians who are suffering not only in the Petrie electorate but right around Australia. It will add to their lives and it will give doctors another string in their bow that they prescribe to people who are in need. I fully support this bill and commend it to the House.

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