A BARRABA father battling terminal cancer has described the state government’s decision to take control of medical marijuana policy as “absolutely awesome”.
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Allistair Leahy, 39, was diagnosed with colon cancer two years ago and turned to cannabis oil after doctors in February told him there was no more they could do to keep him alive.
In a desperate last-ditch search, Mr Leahy discovered the oil and sourced it on the black market.
Since taking the oil and starting a new chemotherapy regime, Mr Leahy’s tumour has shrunk by more than half and he has put on 16kg.
He said while the cannabis oil could not be solely attributed to the turnaround, he remained convinced it should be legally available to terminal patients.
“There’s no doubt there are benefits in dealing with the side-effects of chemo, like nausea, loss of appetite and some pain relief,” Mr Leahy said.
“It’s absolutely awesome the government has taken this step.
“Perhaps we will see more trials done now.
“You get to the point where traditional medicine fails and that’s the point where you’ll try things you wouldn’t normally be willing to try.”
He said with the right safeguards in place, medical marijuana could have a profound effect on the quality of life of thousands of Australians.
