Australias First Medical Cannabis Dispensary - Medical Cannabis News - International Cannagraphic Magazine Forums

JWP · 01-26-2010, 05:17 AM

AUSTRALIA'S first medical cannabis dispensary is operating from the back of a van in a car park at Nimbin.
For more than a month Tony Bower, of Kempsey, has been dispensing 25-millilitre vials of his therapeutic cannabis tincture free to anyone who can produce a medical certificate confirming their condition.
His chronically sick patrons, who include those with AIDS, cancer and multiple sclerosis, number in their hundreds. Mr Bower is an Aborigine and said it was against his culture to refuse to help them.
The problem is that it may be illegal, but it is hard to tell.
"It's a grey area," Debra Sands, Mr Bower's lawyer, said.
"It's complex, and it's incredibly political. Tony wants to bring his product to market, but has been repeatedly frustrated by the health bureaucracy. Meanwhile, the police don't seem to want to know about him."
Cannabis has been shown to relieve pain and nausea in those with HIV, cancer, inflammatory bowel diseases and migraines. Its anti-spasmodic properties have proved useful in treating spinal-cord injuries, multiple sclerosis and Tourette syndrome. The medicinal use of cannabis is legal in Canada, Austria, the Netherlands, Spain, Israel, Italy, and in some states of the US.
In Australia a synthetic cannabinoid known as Marinol has been available for 10 years. Last year the Therapeutic Goods Administration approved the use here of a British drug called Sativex, a mouth spray made from botanical material. However, to get either of these products doctors must apply for a special authority from the Federal Department of Health.
"It's incredibly bureaucratic," Mr Bower, 55, said.
"And meanwhile people are in pain and suffering, and I have a product that works."
He makes his medical cannabis tincture from marijuana he grows himself. Caught for cultivation 12 years ago, he went to court in Kempsey, but emerged with what amounted to an exemption to grow cannabis for medical use.
As some people did not want to smoke, he developed his oil- and alcohol-based tinctures. They do not get you "stoned", but have noted anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.
Mr Bower has registered his company, Mullaway's Medical Cannabis, and has applied for a drug manufacturer's licence from the TGA. But before the TGA can act, approval to produce and research his cannabis must be granted by NSW Health.
A NSW Health spokesman said Mr Bower had failed to supply enough detail of his project, a claim Mr Bower denies.
Debra Sands intends to take Mr Bower's case to the Supreme Court. "We want to challenge whether people like Tony can provide this product and why NSW Health won't test it … Tony is pushing the envelope."

hard rain · 01-26-2010, 05:18 AM

Great news.

Best of luck Mullaway.

Joeski · 01-26-2010, 05:37 AM

another step in the right direction..

Mountain_Monkey · 01-26-2010, 05:51 AM

The best news I've heard on the topic in a very long time time, let's hope one of these fuckstick politicos don't use him as political capital and try to persecute him for helping people in desperate need of medication....

shaunmulok · 01-26-2010, 07:36 AM

Fuck yeah one of the best things i have heard in ages

pinkskunk · 01-26-2010, 07:41 AM

i got a sample of this tncture the other day,nice work mulloway!

01-26-2010, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mountain_Monkey

The best news I've heard on the topic in a very long time time, let's hope one of these fuckstick politicos don't use him as political capital and try to persecute him for helping people in desperate need of medication....

Good news indeed .What a generous thing to be doing,hope he doesnt
come to greif with the burocrates.

madb · 01-26-2010, 08:36 AM

Heading in the right direction, good to see.

Squiggles · 01-26-2010, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JWP

He makes his medical cannabis tincture from marijuana he grows himself. Caught for cultivation 12 years ago, he went to court in Kempsey, but emerged with what amounted to an exemption to grow cannabis for medical use.

Please explain, Id love to know the argument used to win this case.

Squiggles · 01-26-2010, 02:16 PM

Wouldnt this thread be better posted in the marijuana news forum. ?

01-26-2010, 05:17 AM	#1
JWP Banned Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,000	Australias First Medical Cannabis Dispensary AUSTRALIA'S first medical cannabis dispensary is operating from the back of a van in a car park at Nimbin. For more than a month Tony Bower, of Kempsey, has been dispensing 25-millilitre vials of his therapeutic cannabis tincture free to anyone who can produce a medical certificate confirming their condition. His chronically sick patrons, who include those with AIDS, cancer and multiple sclerosis, number in their hundreds. Mr Bower is an Aborigine and said it was against his culture to refuse to help them. The problem is that it may be illegal, but it is hard to tell. "It's a grey area," Debra Sands, Mr Bower's lawyer, said. "It's complex, and it's incredibly political. Tony wants to bring his product to market, but has been repeatedly frustrated by the health bureaucracy. Meanwhile, the police don't seem to want to know about him." Cannabis has been shown to relieve pain and nausea in those with HIV, cancer, inflammatory bowel diseases and migraines. Its anti-spasmodic properties have proved useful in treating spinal-cord injuries, multiple sclerosis and Tourette syndrome. The medicinal use of cannabis is legal in Canada, Austria, the Netherlands, Spain, Israel, Italy, and in some states of the US. In Australia a synthetic cannabinoid known as Marinol has been available for 10 years. Last year the Therapeutic Goods Administration approved the use here of a British drug called Sativex, a mouth spray made from botanical material. However, to get either of these products doctors must apply for a special authority from the Federal Department of Health. "It's incredibly bureaucratic," Mr Bower, 55, said. "And meanwhile people are in pain and suffering, and I have a product that works." He makes his medical cannabis tincture from marijuana he grows himself. Caught for cultivation 12 years ago, he went to court in Kempsey, but emerged with what amounted to an exemption to grow cannabis for medical use. As some people did not want to smoke, he developed his oil- and alcohol-based tinctures. They do not get you "stoned", but have noted anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Mr Bower has registered his company, Mullaway's Medical Cannabis, and has applied for a drug manufacturer's licence from the TGA. But before the TGA can act, approval to produce and research his cannabis must be granted by NSW Health. A NSW Health spokesman said Mr Bower had failed to supply enough detail of his project, a claim Mr Bower denies. Debra Sands intends to take Mr Bower's case to the Supreme Court. "We want to challenge whether people like Tony can provide this product and why NSW Health won't test it … Tony is pushing the envelope."
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01-26-2010, 08:36 AM	#8
madb Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 383	Heading in the right direction, good to see. __________________ Heat is your friend!
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01-26-2010, 02:16 PM	#10
Squiggles Is a geographical anomaly 2 weeks from everywhere Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 836	Wouldnt this thread be better posted in the marijuana news forum. ? __________________ *Squiggles Pics* *Organic Fanatics - Australia* (SilverSurfer OG's work in progress) *The Sacred Ghee* *Sweet Tooth Society* *Nam-myoho-renge-kyo*
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01-26-2010, 05:18 AM	#2
hard rain Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 647	Great news. Best of luck Mullaway.
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01-26-2010, 05:37 AM	#3
Joeski Organic Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: City Posts: 387	another step in the right direction..
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01-26-2010, 05:51 AM	#4
Mountain_Monkey >'BLuNt'fOrCeTR^umA< Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ostrailya Posts: 641	The best news I've heard on the topic in a very long time time, let's hope one of these fuckstick politicos don't use him as political capital and try to persecute him for helping people in desperate need of medication....
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01-26-2010, 07:41 AM	#6
pinkskunk Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: OZ Posts: 310	i got a sample of this tncture the other day,nice work mulloway!
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