Homepage The Happy Herb Company newsroom

PROPOSED MEDICAL MARIJUANA LAWS DON'T GO FAR ENOUGH

Announcement posted by The Happy Herb Company 17 Sep 2014

Herbal medicine industry welcomes progress and calls for repeal of “cruel” prohibition.

Uki, NSW - Wednesday 17 September 2014


Government proposals in four states to open the door to medical cannabis have been described as “welcome, but insufficient”, as thousands of chronically ill Australians will continue to be denied access to the plant.

Niall Fahy, spokesman for the Happy Herb Company, said that it is “cruel” to limit legalisation only to medical trials, the use of a pharmaceutical extract, or use by terminally ill patients.

What we're seeing is politicians concerned with taming a media storm rather than acting in a way that would actually create the greatest possible benefit for those who need it.” said Mr Fahy.

Many scientific trials have already been completed overseas with positive results, so trials here will give relief to a very small number of people while everyone else continues to suffer. The pharmaceutical extract in question only works for certain conditions and is extremely expensive. People should be allowed to grow their own medicine under strict regulations, but Big Pharma doesn't want that.”

Publicity around the issue of medical marijuana has increased in recent months, with numerous high profile organisations calling for its legalisation.

The situation is definitely progressing, because only a year ago organisations like Happy Herbs who spoke up for the need for evidence-based drug law reform were considered radical.” 

Mr Fahy also cited the booming legal recreational cannabis industry in certain US states. “In Colorado they're now taking in millions of tax dollars to spend on hospitals and schools. Prohibition has obviously failed, so when it comes to drugs you ultimately end up with either government control or criminal control.” 

We call on the various governments of Australia to continue overhauling these laws until they are fair and acceptable. Harm minimisation and public health should be the key concepts. Our vision is a properly informed public using safe non-addictive plants for medicine and recreation.”


  • - ENDS -