New driving rules which could save medicinal cannabis patients from automatically losing their licence if they test positive for THC have come into effect in Victoria.
While it will remain an offence if THC is detected, magistrates will have the discretion to allow unimpaired patients holding a prescription to keep their licence.
The new rules came into effect on March 1.
Legalise Cannabis Victoria Senate candidate Fiona Patten, a former member of the Victorian Parliament, said: “The new law still treats medicinal cannabis patients very differently to patients taking other possibly impairing medicine, like strong opiates and benzodiazepines, but it is a step in the right direction.
“I truly hope that other states adopt this modest legislative change.”
The new rules follow a motion put forward by Legalise Cannabis Victoria MPs David Ettershank and Rachel Payne last year.
Pro Patria Centre
Veterans and first responders support service the Pro Patria Centre is working on a feature-length documentary exploring the benefits of medicinal cannabis in treating chronic pain, PTSD and traumatic brain injuries.
Pro Patria Centre veteran Jason Frost and filmmaker Adam Drummond have teamed up to produce Brain Shocks: From Frontline to Freedom, with interviews for the documentary taking place at the United in Compassion (UIC) Symposium in Brisbane last month.
Pro Patria is seeking donations to fund the film, a follow up to 2022 mini-documentary A Call to Action: Your Defence, Our Battle, which raised $100,000 for the centre.
Drummond told Region Riverina: “We aim to raise awareness and influence policy change. We filmed 21 interviews over two days [at UIC] with experts from all over the world.
“It was exhausting but rewarding. The research is advancing quickly, and we’re hopeful for holistic solutions soon.”
Little Green Pharma
Little Green Pharma chief executive Paul Long has joined the company’s board and been named managing director.
Long has served as the firm’s CEO since August 2023 and, prior to that, as chief operations officer for more than five years. He will retain his CEO responsibilities and his remuneration remains unchanged.
LGP has also announced the appointment of Elixinol Wellness chair David Fenlon as an independent non-executive director and the departure of Beatriz Vicén Banzo from the board.
Aurora Cannabis
Canadian firm Aurora Cannabis has extended its pastille offering in Australia with the launch of THC, CBD and balanced products.
Pastilles have become an increasingly popular dosage form among Australian patients, accounting for nearly 14% of special access scheme approvals in January.
Aurora executive vice president of global business development Andre Jerome said the firm’s expanded range “demonstrates our understanding of market demand and is another example of our ability to bring high-quality product to this key market as patient interest increases”.
