Australia’s capital territory government has announced that it will set up a medical cannabis program “as soon as it is practicable,” calling the measure a “priority,” the Canberra Times reports.
Australian Capital Territory (ACT) government officials say the system will give residents of Canberra, the nation’s capital and eighth largest city, safe access to medical cannabis.
“The ACT’s scheme will work to establish the ACT as a leader in the research and development of cannabis products here in Australia and develop a framework for the prescription, use and distribution of medicinal cannabis to those who need them on medical grounds,” Assistant Health Minister Meegan Fitzharris said in the report.
Fitzharris noted that there are still issues to be worked out, such as supply, as the government would likely be unable to support the production. Additionally, the guidelines for its use are still to be determined.
“The ACT government will develop evidence-based guidelines to inform and support medical practitioners in how to best prescribe medicinal cannabis products,” she said. “We will also develop education materials for clinicians and the general public to support these guidelines.”
The government expects medicinal cannabis to be available for patients next year. Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland already have medical cannabis programs.