PRESS RELEASE - 21st May 2003

NSW MEDICAL CANNABIS CONCERNS

The Nimbin HEMP Embassy congratulates Bob Carr on having the courage to get on with it at last. Our phones haven't stop ringing today at the Hemp Embassy though no doubt many excited callers won't fit the criteria. No matter, we are all happy it is a step in the right direction.

Some concerned callers are worrying that their criminal record will prevent them registering with the Office of Medical Cannabis. Many genuine medical users have been pushed into dealing or growing to keep up their supply. Some have been busted over the years and it's important these people aren't prevented from access. Hopefully the Health Dept. will be able to allow for exceptions to the rule!

Another concern which has come up is some patients who have spent a lifetime developing a good quality supply are afraid if they come out into the open and register they may end up monitored and worse off.

The only other concern we've discovered so far is if people apply for registration and get rejected will police be onto them?!

Bob Carr's statement, "we have an obligation to minimise human pain and human distress", is almost our motto, and exactly why drug use should all be seen as a health issue and not a criminal one. A massive amount of stress is created just by criminalising people.

The whole scene is a minefield of paranoia after all these years of prohibition but putting this in the health department is a great step forward. It should never have been police business.

Michael Balderstone
AH 02) 6689 7525