Federal Member for Robertson, Ms Lucy Wicks has spoken in Parliament in support of legislation to legalise medicinal cannabis products.
Heartbreaking personal stories from Central Coast residents inspired the speech for this landmark bill, described as the ‘missing piece’ for patients and doctors around Australia. “For people like Michael from Calga, in my electorate on the Central Coast, it is a day that he thought would never come,” Ms Wicks said.
“Michael sent me a moving letter about his daughter, Katelyn, who has a genetic fault that is linked to catastrophic epilepsy and uncontrollable seizures. “Michael pleaded with me to do whatever we could as a government to help save his little girl. He wrote: ‘Please help us by doing what needs to be done to give the families of catastrophic epileptics and the terminally ill access to safe, legal and reliable medicinal cannabis.’ “I am pleased to say that today’s legislation is the step forward that could change his and his daughter’s situation for the better.
“I would also like to share Clare’s story. “She is a resident of Davistown. “Clare’s husband suffered from two melanomas. “Clare said it was a very painful time for him, and, although the heavy painkillers did give him some bearable relief, but he was severely nauseated, could not eat and was having nightmares, all because of the medicine. “He died in January 2000. “Only after this terrible and devastating loss did Clare fi nd that medicinal cannabis may have actually been able to help her husband through this awful time. “She told me she would have accessed it at the time if she could, but of course it just was not possible. “What we have in this legislation is a potential solution to assist people in painful and chronic situations who are being denied access to potentially legal drugs that could provide signifi cant help.
“Doctors are at the centre of the decision making process, which is strictly controlled. “I believe that this bill goes a long way towards assuring people of the importance of making medicinal cannabis available in an appropriate, legal and regulated way. “It is bold, groundbreaking and essential policy, and I commend this bill to the House,” Ms Wicks concluded.
Media release, Feb 23, 2016 Tim Sowden, offi ce of Lucy Wicks MP