Hasbeen,

While I see merit in your concerns, I believe that the law should apply only where there is substantial, measurable merit in it. That means evidence.

There is no reason why there should not be an allowance made for age. After all, regulators have no qualms nor legislative difficulty in drafting laws that limit the aged. Examples can be found in the licensing to drive motor vehicles. Another example could be the federal government as the nation's Number 1 drug dealer trying to claim some legitimacy as moral and health guardian by setting a minimum age for the purchase of tobacco products.

Citizens who reach 60 years can be relied upon to make their own informed decisions on the health. Why should federal governments that arguably could not make a success of a hot pie'n'chips stall if it was the only food shop in town be hanging over the shoulders of the elderly telling them what they can and cannot do in this respect?

You've created an interesting Topic here FOXY...

I've always been under the impression, that one of the main questions and concerns for all successive governments, is (i) how to keep organised crime out all facets of the Cannabis industry ? And (ii) how to eradicate the existing criminal groups that are already involved in the Cannabis industry ?

I understand Australia (Tasmania) already produces a large proportion, around 60% of the World's Medical Narcotic needs, by very effectively farming the Opium Poppy. Therefore I couldn't imagine there'd be any real difficulty in producing Cannabis in a similar fashion. Adopting their current security, marketing, and quality control measures, only for the production of Cannabis in this instance ? Why isn't it already underway, I don't really know ? As a copper we're not paid to moralize over the drug laws, just enforce them.

As to whether there are any long term effects, by ingesting Cannabis, who knows ? I certainly don't. Though on one hand, I've heard eminent medico's state, there ARE deleterious effects caused by long term use, while many other equally eminent medico's, say there are NO verifiable damaging effects, by it's prolonged use ? I haven't got a clue myself ? No different from cigarette smoking I guess ? Though Cannabis can be ingested in several ways I'm told ?

If it really does provide legitimate relief for chronic pain or, it manifestly provides help for those other people, who're having a really tough time with serious issues, that are badly affecting their lives, eg. severe mental illness, such a chronic anxiety or some equally nasty phobias - then make it available to those who really need it, under the protection of a medical doctor's script.

I've witnessed too many absolutely senseless suicides, to deny these poor buggers relief, from some of life's lousy hands they've been dealt ? Come on you lazy pollies, and earn your substantial salaries for once, and enact some positive laws, that may actually assist nearly everyone, at one time of their lives, or another !

I've always been under the impression, that one of the main questions and concerns for all successive governments, is (i) how to keep organised crime out all facets of the Cannabis industry ? And (ii) how to eradicate the existing criminal groups that are already involved in the Cannabis industry ?

o sung wu....again, you bring comfort of mind.

Money again?

Sorry, only good at short hand:)

It all comes down to what we are as humans.

Would you let animal suffer?

Would you let your loved one suffer?

Would you?

We are talking about medical dope, not the ones that use it incorrectly.

We are talking about a substances that are not fully clear unless you can put yourself in the shoes of those that suffer?

Its always a long road for the right answer, maybe that's the problem.

Very strict rules or it stays the same.

Tally

I'm also not an expert on this subject.
I can only speak from my own personal
experience regarding a family member as
I mentioned earlier - who smoked pot for
most of his life and the serious effects
it had on him - ending up with a serious
medical condition.

However, having watched that TV Program recently -
"Insight" on SBS - and heard the various stories
from seriously ill people that medical cannabis
has helped.
It made me see the positive benefits of
legislating medical cannabis.

If cannabis oil as a medical treatment can work for
epilepsy sufferers, cancer patients and other
life threatening illnesses and provide relief and
reduce the effects of chemotherapy - related
symptoms such as vomiting and nausea. If medical
marijuana which has been shown to successfully reduce
pain in chronic illnesses such as Multiple Schlerosis
and Parkinsons - then I am all for the legalisation
of medical cannabis. Providing it has been tested,
and is regulated by the proper medical authorities.

As for allowing cannabis for elderly people to enjoy as a
recreational drug? No. Sorry OTB. I can't agree with
you on this one - there's far too many medical side-effects
against that - having my own family experience to go by.
Not all elderly people are capable of making the right
decisions either. And to open this door for them - I'd
rather not. However, ultimately, this is a decision that
the voting public can decide on or bring forward as a
topic at the next election. Where all sides of the argument
could be presented, and the public could then decide.

Foxy,

If you return to what I wrote, I was proposing Cannabis for the elderly for their medical problems such as rheumatoid arthritis. Few elderly do not have medical conditions that could not be assisted by Cannabis.

That they would have to be 'authorised' by a GP and be required to buy commercially does not make sense. They are adults who have reached senior age by managing their risks and making (usually) the right choices in life. Goodness, for years most have handled much more dangerous substances and plants in their own gardens and in the kitchen, and they certainly consume far more dangerous drugs that they are forced to buy from pharmacies.

Honestly though, if they wanted to use MJ for relaxation and some relief from the pains and even the disappointments of old age, so what? What makes anyone here, or government, their keepers and judges of their morality, since it seems to have come down to that?

We need to review society's and the medical profession's stereotyping of 'old age' and stop patronising them, while shoving them off in a quiet corner out of sight and out of mind (but hand over those assets and property, ASAP, make that NOW!).

Dear OTB,

My apologies. I misunderstood what you were
saying. And of course I do agree with the
valid points that you've raised. If medical
marijuana can successfully reduce pain and
help in other life-threatening illnesses -
then by all means it should be provided to
people who need it.