There are growing calls for medical cannabis patients in Victoria to be allowed to drive on the state's roads. The Cannabis Council of Australia and Legalise Cannabis MP David Ettershank are pushing for a 'medical exemption' which would allow those prescribed the drug to get behind the wheel, as long as they are unimpaired.

Melbourne

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Victorian State MP David Ettershank is advocating for the right of medical cannabis patients to drive legally in the state. As a member of the Legalise Cannabis Party, Ettershank is focusing on the challenge tens of thousands of Victorians face due to 150,000 random drug tests conducted annually, which can detect THC, the psychoactive substance in cannabis.

In Victoria, even a trace amount of THC results in an automatic six-month license suspension. Several studies indicate that THC's effects wear off in a few hours, leading countries like Germany and Canada to allow medical cannabis patients to drive as long as they are unimpaired. A trial in Melbourne testing drivers on a closed circuit will begin soon, but results will not be public for two years.

Advocates argue that it is unfair for medical cannabis patients to choose between their medication and daily activities. They also worry that releasing trial results close to the next state election could delay reforms. Ettershank, who uses medicinal cannabis for a severe autoimmune condition, emphasizes that THC can stay in the system for weeks, even if the individual is not impaired.

Tasmania allows unimpaired drivers prescribed medical cannabis to drive legally, a law established in 2017. The Cannabis Council of Australia, alongside the Legalise Cannabis Party and other advocates, is campaigning for similar exemptions in Victoria. They encourage the public to support the campaign by contacting local MPs and raising awareness online.

For more information on this campaign, visit www.casagrandeaz.gov.

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New campaign seeks driving exemption for medical cannabis patients

For Victorian State MP David Etishank, many days are spent behind the wheel driving in his electorate in Melbourne's western suburbs and travelling to Parliament House. And now it's the legalised cannabis party member's right to drive and that of tens of thousands of other Victorians that he's fighting to protect. For medicinal cannabis patients, it's like running the roadblocks. Those roadblocks, Mr Etishank says, are the 150,000 random drug tests conducted on the state's roads every year, which can detect THC, the psychoactive substance found in cannabis. Even a trace element of THC in your system in Victoria means you automatically lose your licence for six months. A number of studies have found THC's effects wear off in a few hours, prompting countries like Germany and Canada to allow patients prescribed medical cannabis to drive, as long as they are unimpaired. And while a trial testing drivers on a closed circuit track here in Melbourne is due to begin soon, state governments confirm the results won't be made public for two years. The news prompting the launch of a new campaign. We think it's extremely unfair that tens of thousands of Victorians who are medical cannabis patients in this state are forced to choose between taking their lawfully prescribed medication and going about their daily lives. Advocates also fear results of the driving trial being released on the eve of the next state election could further delay promised reform. They say a week is a long time in politics, three years is a lifetime. For Mr Etishank, the issue is also deeply personal. I had a pretty severe autoimmune condition and dealing with a lot of chronic pain. For me, medicinal cannabis was great, both in terms of reducing inflammation, reducing stress. Even though we know that impairment only lasts for a few hours, the presence of THC in your system can remain for weeks and will come up in roadside tests, even though you're as straight as. In Tasmania, drivers prescribed medical cannabis can legally get behind the wheel so long as they're unimpaired after legislation was passed there in 2017. And there are growing calls for similar laws to be introduced in Victoria. Cannabis Council Australia, among other people and including the Legalised Cannabis Party and many others are pushing for a medical exemption for medical cannabis patients. Those wanting to know more about the campaign are being urged to seek out more information online. People can show their support through writing to their local MPs and being very vocal about these issues. Be noisy, make a noise. Isn't it cruel that you would allow people to access medicinal cannabis, but then you wouldn't let them drive unimpaired down to the chemist to pick up their script. For more information, visit www.casagrandeaz.gov

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