Subj: Australia: Dope may ease pain: Govt



Pubdate: Wed, 20 Oct 1999



Source: Illawarra Mercury (Australia)





DOPE MAY EASE PAIN: GOVT



AIDS and cancer sufferers could have their pain eased by medicinal doses of

cannabis if a NSW Government investigation finds in favour of the treatment.



NSW Premier Bob Carr said yesterday the Government was setting up a working

party to examine the possibility of using cannabis as prescribed medication

for pain relief.



However, he was quick to stress the scheme was not a proposal to legalise

cannabis use.



"Let me clarify an important point: those who advocate the legalisation of

cannabis should not consider my statement today as a sign of support for

their cause," Mr Carr told Parliament.



"That is a separate issue."



The working party has been welcomed by a range of welfare and medical groups.



The Australian Medical Association (AMA), which had lobbied strongly for

the medicinal use of cannabis, reinforced its call on the Government to

reschedule the drug as a medicine and list the conditions it could be used

to treat.



The AMA will join representatives from other organisations including the

AIDS Council of NSW, the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre and NSW

Health on the working party.



Mr Carr said the proposition to allow cannabis on to the prescription list

had to be considered on compassionate grounds.