WITH a state election only two months away, coalition, Labor and Greens candidates for the seat of Dubbo have weighed in on the heavily debated topic of legalising marijuana for terminally ill patients.
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The NSW government plans for a $9 million trial for medicinal cannabis that has the potential to treat children with severe epilepsy, terminally ill adults and those undergoing chemotherapy.
However those with chronic pain, such as Narromine's Nicole Gillette, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, will not benefit under that scheme.
The NSW Labor Party has already announced they plan to legalise medical marijuana should they win the March election.
Country Labor candidate Stephen Lawrence agrees with his party.
"I know Luke (Foley) is passionate on this issue and it really is an urgent issue," he said.
"There are people suffering from terrible cancers that will benefit from immediately from the legalisation and availability of medicinal cannabis.
"The scientific evidence from overseas seems pretty comprehensive on the medicinal use of cannabis and a number of similar countries have legalised it."
Labor Leader Luke Foley said on Sunday that NSW needed a more ambitious medical cannabis program than the current scheme proposed by the Baird government.
Member for Dubbo Troy Grant said more trials were needed before the drug is legalised.
"Local trials are necessary," Mr Grant said.
"We want to help deliver a solution to this issue, which could even lead to a Federal solution."
"Once we have clinical evidence, we can address how we will deal with the issue of supply and distribution and implement any changes with an informed view."
Dubbo Greens candidate Matt Parameter agrees with Greens MP Dr John Kaye.
"The Liberals and Nationals flawed attempt is to introduce time-consuming and unnecessary clinical trials and unworkable police guidelines," Dr Kaye said.
"The time for talk is over."