Next month, a Senate inquiry into a bill put forward by Greens leader Richard Di Natale—along with Liberal, Labor and Crossbencher senators—will report back its findings over the legalisation of medicinal cannabis in Australia.
While the legalisation of medicinal marijuana has often attracted controversy, a survey conducted by Palliative Care Australia today indicates the widespread support of the federal government regulating production, distribution and use of medicinal marijuana across Australian demographics.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Palliative Care Australia’s survey shows older Australians are more in favour for the bill in comparison to young people: 72% of people aged 75-84 supported the introduction of legislation over medicinal marijuana; while 62% of 18-24 year-olds indicated their support. Among those surveyed, only 9% did not support the legislation in any way.
The medicinal marijuana bill is relatively likely to pass Parliament in June, with Prime Minister Tony Abbott publicly supporting such legislation in a statement last year. The news highlights the progress surrounding medicinal marijuana in recent years – as recently as 2013, the Government rejected a recommendation of legalising medicinal marijuana; but by April this year, Queensland and Victoria were announced to be joining New South Wales in medicinal marijuana trials.
But not everything is looking up for the conversation on cannabis use and regulation in Australia – on Friday, a deal brokered by Norfolk Island to grow and export weed was overshadowed by the Australian government’s intervention over the Island’s own government – a move that could jeopardise Norfolk Island’s newest deal.
And this week, Pedestrian followed the story of artist and activist Jesse Willesee, who faced court over publicly lighting up at Town Hall on 4/20 this year. Watch his and his parents’ take on the issue below.
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Via SMH.
