By DANE LILLINGSTONE
AN ELDERLY man charged with manufacturing and possessing cannabis has had his sentence downgraded in Stanthorpe.
This comes after a week when Queensland’s Shadow Health Minister backed the move to investigate the medicinal use of cannabis in a further sign that legal medical cannabis use may not be far away.
The Stanthorpe man was said to have grown cannabis for his dying wife. The woman had been suffering from terminal cancer and the cannabis had been grown for pain relief, the court heard.
Upon handing down the verdict, the judge said the penalties could have been much larger but instead he was putting the man on a 12-month good behaviour bond and fined $1000 with no conviction recorded.
Medical cannabis has been the subject of debate in Australia recently with the recommendation from the Federal Legal Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee to establish a new regulator of medical cannabis.
The move is seen as a step towards the possible legalisation of medical cannabis for medical conditions.
Queensland Shadow Health Minister Mark McArdle said it was something that should be investigated.
“The medicinal uses of cannabis should be investigated. This new independent body will be given the authority to deal with cannabis products for people suffering from a number of medical conditions,” he said.
“Of course the Bill has to pass both houses of the Federal Parliament, but the report is an important step forward.
“The fact that it has cross party support is a big step forward and certainly a positive one.
“The medicinal use of cannabis in the appropriate form is something that we need to look at if we are going to assist those with major illnesses or diseases.
“I cannot stress enough the use of medical cannabis will still require proper and rigorous testing before being placed into public arena.”
