NSW has become the first Australian state authorised by the Commonwealth Government to conduct medicinal cannabis cultivation research, bringing a local pharmaceutical supply one step closer.

NSW has become the first Australian state authorised by the Commonwealth Government to conduct medicinal cannabis cultivation research, bringing a local pharmaceutical supply one step closer.

Minister for Primary Industries Niall Blair said that the Commonwealth has authorised the NSW Department of Primary Industries to conduct cultivation research, which will lay the foundations for future non-government cultivation.

“This is an important step forward that underpins the potential pharmaceutical supply of cannabis-based medicines made in Australia,” Mr Blair said.

“We are the first state to be authorised by the Commonwealth to conduct cultivation research and this means we can now get on with the job.

“This cultivation research will build the additional evidence required to produce medicinal cannabis in NSW to guaranteed safety and quality standards.”

The authorisation under Commonwealth law ensures Australia continues to meet its international obligations under the United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. The cultivation research will be conducted in a new, state-of-the-art, high-security facility, under strict protocols.

Minister for Medical Research Pru Goward said the authorisation was key to continuing to develop a world-leading medicinal cannabis research program in NSW.

“We have invested $21 million in a scientific approach to further our understanding about the safe and effective use of cannabis-based medicines so our patients in NSW have access to the best treatments possible,” Ms Goward said.

“Our end goal is that we will see proven, standardised and legal pharmaceutical cannabis products that can be trusted and prescribed by health professionals.”

MEDIA:

Siobhan McCarthy | Minister Blair | 0407 791 802

Bianca Turai | Minister Goward | 0429 360 271

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