In Canberra on Wednesday, Minister for Health Sussan Ley announced amendments to the Narcotics Drugs Act 1967, which would allow the controlled cultivation of cannabis for medicinal or scientific purposes through one single national licensing scheme - an Australian first.

While there is still a way to go before the legislation is passed through Parliament, Mr Coulton said he fully supported the amendments proposed by Ms Ley.

"It's become quite apparent to me that this needs to progress, but at the same time it needs to be done correctly and in a scientific manner. We can't just have people growing their own cannabis," he said.

"I know the NSW government has been red hot on the issue, particularly with the publicity the matter received courtesy of the Haslam family in Tamworth.

"There is anecdotal evidence outlining the benefits of cannabis for pain relief, and that evidence is well-known.

"The legislation and the amendments will be debated another day but I firmly support it. However I am not in support of cannabis being used in a recreational manner."

Currently, there are provisions in place allowing the legal production and distribution of medicinal cannabis products to patients through various means via the Narcotic Drugs Act 1967 and the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989.

This includes authorised prescribers such as specialists working with particular patient groups and clinical trials run by research institutions and state and territory governments.

However, Australia does not currently have a safe, legal and reliable supply of locally-grown cannabis to allow the manufacture of therapeutic products or satisfy this demand.

Ms Ley said, if passed, the legislation would open the way for Australians with painful and chronic conditions to get access to the relief they needed where this was determined by their doctors to be of potential benefit.

"This is an important day for Australia and the many advocates who have fought long and hard to challenge the stigma around medicinal cannabis products," Ms Ley said. "For Australia, this is the missing piece in a patient's journey.

"It will ensure medical practitioners are now at the centre of the decision-making process on whether medicinal cannabis may be beneficial for their patient.

"I am confident creating one single, nationally-consistent cultivation scheme, rather than eight individual arrangements, will not only help speed up the legislative and regulatory process, but ultimately access to medicinal cannabis products as well.

"A national regulator will also allow the government to closely track the development of cannabis products for medicinal use from cultivation to supply and curtail any attempts by criminals to get involved."