NSW Labor has today re-introduced a Bill into the NSW Parliament to legalise access to medicinal cannabis for the terminally ill and people with a serious illness.

Unnecessary delay by the Berejiklian Government in providing access to medicinal cannabis has prompted the move.

NSW Labor first introduced a Bill in February last year to provide a safe and lawful way for the terminally ill and people with a serious illness to access medicinal cannabis.

The Bill would require patients to receive a photo ID and medical certification from NSW Health in order to possess medicinal cannabis.

A NSW Labor Government will oversee a compassionate access scheme for terminal patients and people with a serious illness.

Comments attributable to Ryan Park:

“We need to help people with a terminal illness, their families and carers and not place more hurdles in the way of them being able to access medicinal cannabis safely and lawfully.

“NSW Labor is again leading the way in providing a compassionate response for those who require access to medicinal cannabis.”

Comments attributable to Paul Scully MP:

“Currently the Government has prioritised bureaucratic paper-shuffling instead of streamlining the process for terminally ill patients and people with a serious illness to access medicinal cannabis for respite.

“Terminally ill patients and people with a serious illness already have enough challenges to face; they don’t need to jump more unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles in order to get relief from constant pain and suffering.

“I urge members of the Upper House where the Bill has been introduced to get behind this legislation, which will help provide real access to medicinal cannabis.”