Medical Cannabis Picnic at Parliament

The Medical Cannabis Information Service & medicalcannabis.info present "Patients on Grass" - an Annual Medical Cannabis Picnic.

A protest action supporting the medical uses of cannabis has been planned to mark the opening of the Spring session of the NSW Parliament. The event, hosted by The Medical Cannabis Information Service, gives patients & health professionals the opportunity to voice their concerns at the slow pace of Government action on the issue.

Patients, doctors, researchers and supporters will meet in the Government’s own backyard, The Domain (rear of NSW Parliament) at high noon on Tuesday August 31, 2004. The picnic-style event is now an annual protest urging the Government to act and not walk away while ordinary people suffer and acquire criminal records simply for treating their illnesses* as Bob Carr has previously said. (*Hansard 20/5/2003).

The Premier announced in May 2003 a medical cannabis trial would commence in NSW. The news was initially greeted with relief by many including Sydney medical cannabis patient, Justin Brash. However after waiting over 15 months, Brash has said "What is most irritating is politicians admitting to prior use, inhaling or not, and then claiming to be tough on drugs meanwhile terminally ill patients are still waiting to see an Exposure Bill." Andrew Kavasilas, a noted researcher in the field who recently published "Medical Uses of Cannabis - Information for Medical Practitioners" said, "Currently, cannabis is being used by tens of thousands of patients suffering from conditions and illnesses like multiple sclerosis, HIV/AIDS as well as those treating chronic pain from cancer and Osteoporosis, or going through chemotherapy". "Mr Carr is well aware that around the world, simple cannabis preparations are getting top marks in clinical trials in treating chronic pain, as an appetite stimulant and muscle relaxant. The PBS could be the ultimate winner if the medical use of cannabis is approved. Cannabis can replace many pharmaceuticals, not just anti-emetics & analgesics, even the anabolic agents used in AIDS wasting syndrome" Mr Kavasilas said. Mr Brash went on to say "One day we hope this picnic will be a celebration of compassion instead of the current protest action".