SHANE Rattenbury has welcomed an announcement that Cann Pharmaceutical Australia will be collaborating with the University of Canberra on a clinical trial of medical cannabis in the ACT.

“The Greens believe that medicinal cannabis should be available to sick and dying patients who need it, and have been driving this issue at both a local and national level,” Shane said.

“Today, Cann Pharmaceutical have announced they will commence a trial of medical grade cannabis as treatment for melanoma, that is designed to obtain first results within six to nine months.

“The medical grade cannabis will be imported from one of Israel-based Cann Pharmaceutical’s overseas facilities in order for the trial to get underway immediately.

“Today’s announcement is an important step in our long journey towards making medicinal cannabis a readily available treatment for a number of conditions, such as epilepsy, a range of different types of cancer and Multiple Sclerosis.

“The political debate about medicinal cannabis has gone on for some time now and I am really pleased that we are finally seeing movement on the ground that will help to relieve pain and suffering for many individuals.

“I congratulate the University of Canberra and Cann Pharmaceutical for today’s announcement and I look forward to further progress in this field,” said Mr Rattenbury.