Legalise Cannabis Victoria MPs David Ettershank and Rachel Payne have criticised the state government for failing to progress cannabis law reform, accusing the Victorian Labor Party of ignoring its own policy to legalise and decriminalise.
The pair staged a protest in parliament wearing “Labour – It’s time for cannabis reform” shirts, arguing the government had abandoned evidence and expert advice.
The action came a month after the government formally rejected all recommendations of a two-year inquiry into cannabis reform.
Cannabis laws were set to be debated in the upper house on Wednesday.
Medical Cannabis Australia
Medical Cannabis Australia (MCA) has released a state-by-state regulatory desktop guide designed to help prescribers and pharmacists navigate differing rules across Australia.
The resource outlines key state requirements, including primary legislation, prescribing pathways, script-monitoring programs and driving laws.
MCA said the guide was developed with regulatory specialists and clinicians to provide a practical reference for healthcare professionals.
Healthcare providers can access the guide by contacting Luiza at lu***@******om.au.
Bioxyne
Bioxyne subsidiary Breathe Life Sciences UK has received £850,000 (A$1.7 million) in funding to support the fit-out and launch of its UK GMP manufacturing site.
The package, comprised of a £500,000 (A$1m) loan and a £348,250 ($A703,000) grant from economic development agency, South of Scotland Enterprise, will enable the firm to establish a GMP facility in the Scottish Borders of similar scale to its Australian site.
Bioxyne chief executive Sam Watson said the site would help the firm meet rising demand in a UK market “seeing tremendous year-on-year growth”.
“Existing manufacturing infrastructure in the UK is insufficient to keep up with local demand, and that’s an opportunity for BLSUK to enter and grow with the market,” he said.
“BLSUK has a growing UK customer base, and establishing our UK facility is critical to offering clients our renowned quality and service levels, and replicating our Australian success internationally.”
Fit-out works and licence applications for the site will be completed next year.