comments by Dr. Michael Vagg (sccac RESPONSE ABOVE)
Link to SMH article with comments by Dr. Michael Vagg, Dean of the Faculty of Pain Medicine, ANZCA
Sydney Morning Herald, 23 March 2021 article:
https://www.smh.com.au/national/medicinal-cannabis-blacklisted-by-australian-pain-specialists-20210322-p57cyw.html
SCCAC OPINION ON AUSTRALIAN DRIVING LAWS
AMCA and SCCAC support the Drive Change Campaign
"The Australian Chapter of the Society of Cannabis Clinicians (SCCAC) is committed to supporting and educating both patients and prescribers alike in using medicinal cannabis products. An important step forward is advocacy, and increasing access to what has been shown as a viable treatment option.
Current driving laws in Australia, surrounding cannabis, are extremely prohibitive to their use in medical practice. Many patients do not want to proceed due to risking their licence or their independence. The mere presence of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and not any associated impairment, is flatly discriminatory and further stigmatises an emerging therapy.
Evidence has suggested that some medicinal cannabis products cause little to no impairment in driving. This has included products with trace amounts of THC. Adhering to good medical practice, and under the guidance of a healthcare professional, cannabis patients should not be punished unfairly.
The SCCAC firmly believes that the same scrutiny as other medications should be applied to medicinal cannabis; test for impairment, NOT presence."
