MARIJUANA would be prescribed by doctors in South Australia for medicinal purposes under planned legislation.

Democrats MP Sandra Kanck today said legislation was being drafted to allow the practice.

Australian Medical Association state president Chris Cain said he supported to move but only if the doses were in a standardised form.

"The active agents need to be separated in standardised doses and prescribed in a more conventional manner," he said.

Opposition health spokeswoman Vickie Chapman said she would not support the legislation.

Family First MLC Dennis Hood condemned the move, describing it as "political malpractice".

"No one listens to the Democrats, which is reflected in the results at recent elections, and this policy is another example of why no one is listening to them," he said.

Substance Abuse Minister Gail Gago said the government would not support the Bill. "I have not seen Sandra Kanck's Bill, but I wouldn't support her proposal at this time," she said. "The harmful effects of cannabis far outweigh the known therapeutic benefits. The evidence is currently not available for the state government to support this as a policy direction."

Newshawk: Hawked with Hawkform www.mapinc.org/newshawk
Pubdate: Thu, 26 Apr 2007
Source: Advertiser, The (Australia)
Copyright: 2007 Advertiser Newspapers Ltd
Contact: http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/opinion/sendletter
Website: http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1
Author: Nick Henderson, Political Reporter