I have backed the legalisation of medicinal cannabis, sponsoring laws expected to be introduced to parliament next week.The new law, sponsored by representatives from all the major parties, would set up a regulator to approve medicinal cannabis products and to make rules for licensing, production, and use of those products.

Medicinal cannabis could provide enormous benefits to medical treatments and also to agriculture.

Many medical journals have run articles in support of medicinal marijuana because it is a natural product able to provide effective relief of symptoms without many of the side-effects of other drugs.And it is important to distinguish between medicinal marijuana and recreational marijuana.

This is not about legalising “pot” or “weed” because the active ingredient in recreational marijuana (THC) exists only at very low levels in medicinal cannabis. 

[box style="1 or 2"]Medicinal cannabis can be used to relieve pain, reduce vomiting and nausea, reduce convulsions and seizures, aid sleep, reduce blood sugar levels, reduce the risk of artery blockage, and treat psoriasis. It has proven to be very effective at preventing nausea and vomiting in patients who have undergone chemotherapy, and there have also been recent media reports on the drug's effectiveness in treating seizures.[/box]North Queensland has a lot to gain from the introduction of a new crop that could boost our economy. We have ideal conditions for the cultivation of the medicinal varieties of cannabis; good fertile soil and plenty of water.

Another crop option would help farmers diversify and give their farm a stronger business base.