Victoria is set to join NSW's medical marijuana trials aimed at helping children with epilepsy, the terminally ill and people on chemotherapy, in a bid to build the case for the groundbreaking treatment.
Victorian Health Minister Jill Hennessy confirmed to Fairfax Media that her government would work with NSW Health so Victorians can take part in the trials.
"Many Victorians with terminal illnesses or life-threatening conditions want to use medical cannabis to relieve their pain and treat their conditions, but currently cannot legally do so," she said.
"By supporting and participating in these important trials with NSW, we can help the evidence building around medicinal cannabis." Ms Hennessy said in some cases, parents were forced to choose between breaking the law and watching their child suffer.
"It is vital that we look at this issue thoroughly so that we can ensure a safe and secure supply of medicinal cannabis," she said.
NSW Premier Mike Baird announced the three trials last December, which are expected to cost $9 million and include hundreds of people. It is understood Mr Baird discussed the trials at a meeting of state leaders in Canberra on Thursday. A spokesman for Mr Baird said NSW was "open to extending the trial to participants in other jurisdictions".
The trial for children with severe epilepsy, who have not responded to traditional medicine, is expected to start first in NSW.
It would be followed by trials for adults with terminal illness and people with nausea induced by chemotherapy.
The NSW government is also instructing police not to charge adults with terminal illness who use marijuana, or their carers.
It is examining options to import cannabis for the trial, or have it grown under controlled conditions by contract from the government.
Health Minister Jillian Skinner has previously said the trials would not involve the use of crude cannabis which has "serious potential ill-health effects… this is about looking at derivatives of cannabis that can be useful in treating these conditions".
A NSW Health spokeswoman said it had identified several research groups that could conduct clinical research in two areas: chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting that is resistant to standard treatment, and symptom control in palliative care.
The Sydney Children's Hospital Network is working to establish the epilepsy trial.
South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill said his state supported the NSW trials and "looks forward to considering the results". The office of Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk did not respond to request for comment.
Ms Hennessy said the Victorian government has already commenced work to legalise medicinal cannabis for use in exceptional circumstances in Victoria.
It has also asked the Victorian Law Reform Commission for advice by the end of August on how the law can be changed to legalise and regulate the use of medical cannabis so it can be used to treat people with terminal or life-threatening conditions.
Ms Hennessy said Victoria is well placed through the work of the Murdoch Children's Research Institute to support and actively participate in the paediatric epilepsy trial.
