A group of terminally ill patients across the Hunter will take part in a new trial of medical cannabis early next year.
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The 30 patients – being cared for by Newcastle’s Calvary Mater Hospital – will work with researchers from the University of NSW to examine what effects vapourised cannabis leaves and a form of pharmaceutical cannabis medication will have on people who are dying of cancer and suffering symptoms including fatigue, nausea and insomnia.
The trial is part of the NSW government’s $9 million commitment to support medical cannabis clinical trials.
Premier Mike Baird said the first trial would play a critical role in helping to better understand what role medical cannabis could play in alleviating symptoms and pain in terminally ill patients.
“We do not want patients or carers having to play pharmacist – that is why it is so important to explore the safest and most effective ways we can deliver compassionate care and improve the quality of life,” he said.
“Our trials will help to position NSW at the forefront of world-class research in this area and explore how we can complement the existing palliative care treatments and therapies patients receive.”
The trial will evaluate two types of cannabis products – vaporised leaf cannabis and a pharmaceutical.
“It will be undertaken in two parts, and will assess the potential ability of cannabis to alleviate distressing symptoms including fatigue, low appetite, altered taste and smell for food, low mood, weight loss, nausea, insomnia and pain relief,” the trial’s chief investigator Associate Professor Meera Agar said.
“This will add to the existing body of evidence-based research.
For information about the trial visit www.health.nsw.gov/cannabis.
Sam's push to make it legal
At the heart of the Hunter’s eminent medical cannabis trial are people like Sam Aulton.
Though not a trial participant, Ms Aulton has been behind a Maitland push calling for the government to legalise cannabis for those suffering a range of debilitating or terminal illnesses.
“It is wonderful that the government has finally opened its eyes and allowed this trial to take place. And to have it happen here in the Hunter is amazing,” she said. “It’s such a relief that people won’t have to sneak around. It’s not fair for people to feel like criminals.”
Ms Aulton is battling terminal cancer after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000. With the cancer detected in her spine, lungs and bones she turned to cannabis oil to prolong her life and ease her pain.
Essentially, she broke the law. But she is not alone.
Earlier this year Ms Aulton joined a campaign calling for the decriminalisation of medical cannabis when she was poisoned after taking cannabis oil.
“We should not be made to feel like criminals for trying to help ourselves or those we love,” she said.
“If this drug was decriminalised then I would have been monitored by the professionals and not forced to go down this unprotected path.”
Earlier this year, the Maitland community weighed heavily into the controversial medical cannabis debate with 97.9 per cent of Mercury readers voting for the drug to be decriminalised for those suffering with a terminal illness.
Of the 280 readers who took part in the Maitland Mercury’s online voting poll, 262 voted yes to the decriminalisation of the drug. Only 2.20 per cent voted no to the question.
