THE NSW Premier says his government is considering growing its own marijuana as part of a clinical trial that the government’s medical advisers have advocated be extended to child patients.
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Announcing a clinical trial and the possible future legalisation of medicinal cannabis last month, Mike Baird initially spoke in terms of its benefits for the terminally ill.
But at a medical marijuana symposium in Tamworth yesterday morning, Mr Baird confirmed trials would be for a wider range of conditions.
“We’re going to outline three trials, not just to the terminally ill,” he said.
A spokeswoman for Mr Baird would not elaborate on the conditions of those trials.
But Fairfax Media can reveal the working group appointed to develop guidelines for the trial has endorsed the inclusion of children with pediatric epilepsy, an option once thought to be off the table.
The recommendation is understood to already have been presented to government, which is expected to announce within two weeks which measures are to be adopted.
It is understood the group – led by the state’s chief medical officer, Dr Kerry Chant – will also endorse trialling medical marijuana for the terminally ill and those suffering from chemotherapy-related nausea, but not for glaucoma or chronic pain.
Mr Baird told reporters that since announcing his support for the cause, he had been contacted by people with a wide range of conditions.
But the government must also confront the issue of how to secure a marijuana supply.
Mr Baird said he was considering having the state government grow its own.
“I’m absolutely open to us doing that,” he said.