Around 8% of Australians are using medical marijuana either occasionally or regularly, according to a recent survey of 1,000 participants conducted by consumer insights company Antenna, reported Cannabiz.
The Medigrowth-commissioned study revealed that 22% of respondents either contemplated or obtained a cannabis prescription within twelve months, while four out of ten would be comfortable telling their employer if they were taking the medicine.
Victoria Officials Opt For Health-Focused Strategy On Cannabis
Australia's evolving attitudes around the plant come as no surprise, considering that even Victoria's Premier Jacinta Allan, Treasurer Tim Pallas and Opposition Leader John Pesutto all confessed to experimenting with cannabis at different times, reported The Age. The revelations were made following the Labor government's indication that it would consider decriminalizing cannabis for personal use.
The Legalise Cannabis Party introduced a bill to legalize personal cannabis use in June. The measures were introduced in parliaments in Victoria, New South Wales and Western Australia on the same day.
Mental Health Minister Ingrid Stitt said on Wednesday the government is open to collaborating with experts, the community and the Legalise Cannabis party regarding the potential legalization of personal cannabis consumption, as the Labor can’t back the bill in its current form.
“In relation to this bill that proposes to legalise the adult personal use of cannabis beyond that required for medicinal reasons, we are unable to support it in its current form at this time,” Stitt said.
Premier Allan was also cautious on the issue.
“Of course we would ...