The Department of Health’s Office of Drug Control (ODC) has issued the first licence to legally grow and harvest medicinal cannabis in Australia to the Melbourne-based Cann Group.
While the supply from the licence is currently limited to Victoria, licences for other states are expected to be issued soon.
Health Minister Greg Hunt has also fast-tracked importation of the drug from overseas while the local supply develops.
The licence comes a year after the Federal Government passed laws paving the way for people with chronic or painful illnesses such as cancer, severe epilepsy and motor neurone disease to use medicinal cannabis.
But how easy is it for these patients to access?
A growing market
Medicinal cannabis is categorised as a restricted medicinal drug, the same as morphine.
Only patients with a valid prescription from their GP can obtain and use medicinal cannabis grown in Australia. It also needs to be listed on the Therapeutic Goods Act and covered by the relevant state and territory legislation.
Currently doctors have to import approved products, a long and expensive process for patients and their families.
Many simply turn to the black market instead and face prosecution if they are caught.
The Government says the new scheme should see the drug become more widely available in just six weeks.
Already 25 companies have applied for licences to grow and manufacture the drug.
With the local market valued at around $100 million a year, let’s hope it’s a boon for both growers and patients.
