Page 4434 - Week 14 - Thursday, 1 December 1994
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Cannabis Law Reform
MS ELLIS: Madam Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister for Health. I ask: Has the Minister had any advice on how cannabis would best be used in treating glaucoma?
MR CONNOLLY: I thank Ms Ellis for her question. I particularly thank Ms Ellis because - other members of the Government being engaged in other functions - Ms Ellis and I were the only members of the Assembly who graced the AIDS Action Council's launch of World AIDS Day today, to which I was specifically invited and also invited to speak. Mrs Carnell would have heard the very generous statements from the president of the AIDS Action Council about my role and this Labor Government's role in this issue in Canberra. It is pathetic, and it sickens me to hear the political grandstanding by these two individuals about AIDS, when they did not even bother to go down to the launch.
In relation to my second ribbon, I proudly wear it because it was given to me by the Aboriginal community.
Mr Moore: On a point of order, Madam Speaker: Apart from the fact that the hypocrite should take off his ribbons, his answers to questions without notice should be concise and confined to the subject matter, according to standing order 118.
MR CONNOLLY: The answer will be as precise and confined as the 12-minute special from Mrs Carnell. Ladies and gentlemen, start your watches.
I was asked by Ms Ellis whether I can advise on the efficacy of cannabis as a treatment for glaucoma. I am a lawyer. I do not pretend to be a doctor.
Mr Moore: Madam Speaker, I draw your attention to standing order 117(c), which says that questions shall not ask Ministers for an expression of opinion. This question clearly asked for an expression of opinion in terms of the efficacy of treating glaucoma, and I think that it should be ruled out of order.
Mr Berry: I wish to speak to the point of order, Madam Speaker. The question clearly goes as follows: Has the Minister had any advice on how cannabis would best be used in treating glaucoma?
MADAM SPEAKER: The question is in order. Mr Connolly, proceed.
MR CONNOLLY: Has there been advice about the efficacy of treating glaucoma? Yes, there has been some. It has been published in the National Drug Strategy at page 191. It says:
Although there have been a number of case reports of the successful use of cannabis in the management of glaucoma ... there have not been any controlled clinical studies of its effectiveness and safety in the long-term management of glaucoma.
It goes on at page 196 - - -
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