In one of its first acts of liberalism the Turnbull government has moved to legalize the growing of cannabis for medical use. Some detractors will see this as the thin edge of the wedge, leading to the eventual legalization of marijuana, and in its related form hashish, for recreational use, something I am personally opposed to.
I do believe the medical benefits of cannabis outweigh any possible negative effects of such legalization. With both Labor and the Greens supporting this move, its smooth passage through parliament is assured.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-17/federal-government-to-legalise-growing-of-medicinal-cannabis/6862294

Yes, this is a wonderful development for the easing of pain, anxiety and nausea for sick, dying and disabled people in our community.

Palliative care will be far better off with the use of medical cannabis, as often nothing else available can combat the extreme nausea caused by some cancers.
They won't be smoking the drug as far as I know, but rather using pills and liquid cannabis.

It's long overdue, seeing as the Government have allowed the growing of opium poppies in this country since at least the late 60's. This has not led to any Government thus far legalizing opioid drugs for recreational use.

One small step forward and two large steps back.

This would be an adult approach, regulation based on evidence,

"Upon the written recommendation of a physician, a person with certain specified medical conditions is allowed to possess up to 24 ounces of medical marijuana and may grow up to 15 plants for his or her own medicinal use under Washington’s medical marijuana law."

http://www.criminaldefenselawyer.com/marijuana-laws-and-penalties/medical/washington.htm

Why should any law-abiding adult who is able to take care of himself (and his medication) be prevented from growing a small quantity of this plant for his/her own or family medical use? Accepting of course that s/he has reasonable controls in place to deter it from coming into others' hands?

There is no 'slippery slope'. Those who break laws get the drugs they want anyhow and line the pockets of criminal gangs at the same time.

The political parties are putting the profits of entrenched interests first and that is not just the legal ones.

The medicinal benefits of cannabis have been known for a long time.

Interesting that it is being legalized under the coalition.

Shadow, it was not a goer under the conservative Abbott regime, as were many social justice issues, but with Turnbull, a liberal Liberal these sorts of social changes are going to happen. Long term, starting at the next election Turnbull will remove some dead wood from the parliamentary party as well as in the back room where conservatives dominate. With continuing popularity he will be free to implement his social agenda. If the next election looks like a clear cut Turnbull win, Abbott wont re-contest, he doesn't want to sit in opposition for another three years.