Australian Senate Blocks Turnbull Govt’s Attempt To Ban Imported Medical Cannabis Products

Here’s the report…

Regulations established last year when the government was legalising medicinal cannabis, and giving greater oversight to the Therapeutic Goods Administration, were “disallowed”. This overturned restrictions on certain patients from accessing cannabis products from overseas such as Sativex, which the government admits has passed foreign safety assessments.

“The Therapeutic Goods Administration could not be clearer that it is a potential risk, not just to health but to lives,” Health Minister Greg Hunt said, calling the vote “irresponsible”.

Liberal Democrat David Leyonhjelm said: “The arguments were basically protectionist. Local pro­ducers had lobbied me and the other crossbenchers to get us to vote against this.”

The NSW senator showed The Australian a letter sent from Mr Hunt to senator Nick Xenophon last month that said permitting importation “would put the burgeoning Australian industry at a significant disadvantage to international suppliers”.

MGC Pharmaceuticals CEO Roby Zomer said the vote was “a clear sign to companies providing these vital products that Australia is relaxing its tough stance on the issue, and that’s to the benefit of terminally ill Australians and this growing industry”.

Senators Xenophon and Cory Bernardi voted with the government.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/health/senate-supports-cannabis-imports/news-story/dab22cce9fe9eab6f05d457274b10d45

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