Medical Marijuana Update: Australia is Added On The List Of Countries To Legalize Marijuana For Medical Use

Australia is the latest addition to countries that patronized medical marijuana. Last February, the Australian government agreed to lift the ban on medical marijuana.

The Stoner's Cookbook released an article which discussed the legalization of medical marijuana in Australia. The Australian amendment includes "amendment authorities state or territory government agencies to undertake and manage cultivation and production of cannabis and cannabis resin, for use in the manufacture of medicines and for scientific studies."

"This is an historic day for Australia and the many advocates who have fought long and hard to challenge the stigma around medicinal cannabis products so genuine patients are no longer treated as criminals," Susan Ley, the Minister of Health in Australia said.

According to Ley, the gesture to legalize medical marijuana in Australia paved way for medical advances, "This is the missing piece in a patient's treatment journey and will now see seamless access to locally-produced medicinal cannabis products from farm to pharmacy."

In addition to the update, the Australian Business Insider mentioned that the new national law passed by the Australian parliament in mid-February cited that people who suffer from severe pain and chronic illness can use medical marijuana. Though the legalization of medical cannabis is a huge leap for the government and medical advancement, it still has limitations. Using and cultivating pot for recreational use, however, is till prohibited and is still linked to criminal laws.

As per the latest federal scheme, those who are in need of medical marijuana would need to get a prescription. The medical marijuana should be acquired from a legit Australian manufacturer to ensure safety. The medical marijuana that patients should acquire should be the ones that are approved and authorized by the Therapeutic Goods Act. The latest changes in the law placed medical marijuana in the same category as morphine.

Though marijuana plans can now grow in Australian soil, it was still unclear as to when the medical marijuana prescription would take effect. There are no updates as to when medical marijuana dispensaries would open on the country.