Australian lawmakers have successfully lobbied a bill legalizing the growing of marijuana for medical and scientific purposes. The bill, which was introduced by the Liberal Party to Parliament on Wednesday, would amend Australia's decades-old Narcotics Drugs Act of 1967 which currently bans cannabis throughout the country.
Under the proposed bill marijuana cultivation will be done solely for scientific research and medical use. The substance is being considered as an alternative treatment for chronic and painful conditions.
"This government understands that there are some Australians suffering from severe conditions for which cannabis may have applications and we want to enable access to the most effective medical treatments available," Health Minister Sussan Ley said, as quoted by CBC News.
The bill is expected to become a law around March especially since the main opposition party has pledged to support its passage.
A national licensing scheme for marijuana use and distribution will be implemented once the law takes effect. Permits will be granted to supply chronically ill patients on clinical trials with medical cannabis.
Patients of non-chronic diseases and the public in general, however, will not be given access to marijuana.
"Allowing controlled cultivation locally will provide the critical missing piece for a sustainable legal supply of safe medicinal cannabis products for Australian patients in the future," Ley added.
Australian researchers, medical experts and patients on clinical trials currently rely on international supplies of medicinal marijuana which has been proven burdensome due to cost and export regulations.
Australian medicinal marijuana company MMJ PhytoTech LTD stated that patients who could benefit from the passage of the law are those that suffer epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and other chronic illnesses.
According to Time, Health Minister Ley also reiterated that the bill does not cover marijuana distribution for recreational use.
"This product is not one that you smoke, it's not something that might be out there illegally," Ley emphasized.
Australia, together with its Southeast Asian neighbors, has one of the toughest laws against marijuana and other illegal drugs. With the legalization of medicinal marijuana in near sight, the Australian government stressed that it will not ignore its obligation to the international community to ensure that production, manufacture and distribution is solely for medical and scientific purposes.
A government survey conducted in 2013 showed that of 24,000 Australians across the country, 69 percent of them supported an amendment to the current laws to accommodate the legalization of cannabis cultivation and production for medicinal uses.
