New Medicinal Cannabis Progress in Legislation for NSW and QLD

Between the 22 and 24 February 2017, there have been some significant legislative developments in the regulation of medicinal cannabis in both NSW and QLD. In NSW, a private member's bill was introduced on 22 February 2017, while in QLD, a new principal regulation and the commencement of the principal act were were both notified on 24 February 2017.

Public Health (Medicinal Cannabis) Bill 2017 [NSW]

On 22 February 2017, Opposition Leader Luke Foley introduced the Public Health (Medicinal Cannabis) Bill 2017 [NSW]. This bill is a Private Member's Bill for an Act to provide for the medicinal use of cannabis; to amend the Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985 and the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 1966; and for other purposes.

The Bill is currently at Notice of Motion stage in the Legislative Assembly, and may get introduced when Parliament continues their sitting on 14 February 2017.

Commencement Proclamation for Public Health (Medicinal Cannabis) Act 2016 (53 of 2016) [QLD]

On 24 February 2017, the Public Health (Medicinal Cannabis) Act 2016 (53 of 2016) [QLD], was proclaimed by SL 14 of 2017. The objective of the Act is to create a new regulatory framework under which medicinal cannabis products may be prescribed and dispensed to patients in Queensland while also preventing their unauthorised use.

The Act is proclaimed to commence on 1 May 2017.

Public Health (Medicinal Cannabis) Regulation 2017 (15 of 2017) [QLD]

The Public Health (Medicinal Cannabis) Regulation 2017 (15 of 2017) [QLD] was notified on 24 February 2017. It commences on 1 May 2017, the same day as the Act, and the Regulations prescribes matters to support the regulatory framework established by the Act.

QLD and NSW join VIC and CTH as new jurisdictions continue to introduce medicinal cannabis legislation.

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Public Health (Medicinal Cannabis) Bill 2017 [NSW] and secondary materials as republished in TimeBase LawOne

Public Health (Medicinal Cannabis) Regulation 2017 (15 of 2017) [QLD] and Explanatory Notes as republished in TimeBase LawOne

Public Health (Medicinal Cannabis) Act 2016 (53 of 2016) [QLD] and Secondary materials as republished in TimeBase LawOne