Last week, Victoria became the first state in Australia to legalise access to medicinal cannabis for those in exceptional circumstances. Hundreds of kids with severe epilepsy will have access to medicinal cannabis as early as next year, with new fast-tracked funding to support the roll-out of the Victorian Medicinal Cannabis Access scheme. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said that a $28.5 million package, provided in the 2016/17 Victorian Budget, will support the establishment of the Office of Medicinal Cannabis and an Independent Medical Advisory Committee to make sure seriously ill kids can access this life-changing treatment as soon as possible.
Premier Andrews explained that the funding will also support:

• The Government’s cultivation trial, which is now underway, as well as the regulation of medicinal cannabis, further product development and the development of clinical, public and manufacturing guidance material
• Research grants to make sure we are continuing to build the evidence base for medicinal cannabis
• The establishment of a hardship fund to help make medicinal cannabis more affordable for parents doing it tough

“We promised families that their children would be able to access this life-changing treatment as early as next year, and we’re getting it done.”Premier Andrew commented “Never again will families have to make the heart-breaking choice between watching their children suffer and breaking the law.”
Minister for Health Jill Hennessy explained that the Office of Medicinal Cannabis will be responsible for all clinical and manufacturing aspects of the medicinal cannabis framework, and will work closely with medical specialists, general practitioners and pharmacists to help them understand their role in prescribing medicinal cannabis. The Office will also work with patients and families to provide them with information about medicinal cannabis, as well as eligibility requirements and registration for the scheme.