Pubdate: Wed, 24 Dec 2014
Source: Coffs Coast Advocate (Australia)
Copyright: North Coast News Pty Ltd 2014
Contact: http://www.coffscoastadvocate.com.au/contact/feedback/
Website: http://www.coffscoastadvocate.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5337

$9 MILLION TO TRIAL MEDICAL MARIJUANA

CHILDREN with severe epilepsy and terminally ill adults may be 
treated with medical marijuana under a NSW clinical trial.

The NSW Government will fund the $9 million trial of at least three 
marijuana-derived medicines. The trial will examine the benefits to 
patients with a number of serious diseases.

The epilepsy trial will be run at the Westmead and Sydney Children's 
Hospitals and is expected to start enrolling patients in 2016.

NSW Premier Mike Baird said patients and parents of ill children were 
"increasingly desperate" for cannabis-based medication to be used to 
manage some illnesses.

"This is a bold plan and one that will utilise the expertise of 
NSW-based clinicians and researchers, and draw on research 
developments from across the globe," he said.

"Once we have the clinical evidence that medical cannabis can reduce 
suffering then the government will consider a range of supply 
measures, including importation.

"But if that does not prove successful then the government will 
assume responsibility for supply itself."

The Australian Medical Association praised the trials stating 
previous trials had been based on "flawed research protocols and methodology".
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom