In 2016 Australian State and Federal governments responded to the calls from patients, families, their carers and clinicians for more effective therapies in severe, intractable epilepsies, by introducing legislation to facilitate the trial introduction of medicinal cannabis as a treatment for epilepsies as well as other conditions.
The Epilepsy Foundation supports the current interest in these trials and the leadership at the political level to progress research via clinical trials whilst addressing legislative changes to decriminalise use in certain circumstances.
For more information about the current situation and the Epilepsy Foundation’s position read the Epilepsy Foundation’s Medical Cannabis Position Statement.
A number of government websites outline the legislation regarding access to medicinal cannabis in Australia: