Now, is to work toward the establishment of a Cannabis access model that is fair, sustainable, affordable and acceptable. It must be patient centred, rather than industry based and it should be a herbal, rather than a pharmaceutical model.
This could be accomplished using existing legislation to create a herbal delivery system via the Complementary medicine pathway, that could co-exist with the present clinical model. It would allow for grow rights and would cater for low cost production by smaller licensed producers, allowing them to enter the market to supply patients at a local level.
President
First and foremost I am a patient who needs Whole Plant Cannabis available for my treatment, although I have worked in Healthcare my whole life. Medical Receptionist, then Phlebotomist and Pathology Lab assistant, progressing on to After Hours Lab Manager. Finally, returning to Phlebotomy in both Public & Private Hospitals.
Smoking is necessary to control the PTSD for which I've been medicated, since the 1970's. A spinal injury and subsequent surgery in 1988, introduced me to Smoking Cannabis to relieve pain & muscle spasming and for 4 1/2 years now I have required no anti-depressants as an added advantage. No anti-anxiety medications nor anti-psychotics. I now realise these chemical concoctions were actually exacerbating my PTSD, not treating it. I was also able to stop taking Rohypnol, prescribed to help me sleep through the back pain, but were in fact addictive and toxic. When 2 tablets each night still weren't enough for me to sleep, I decided to stop. Cannabis helped me to wean from Rohypnol, without any withdrawal symptoms.
A 2 pack a day smoking habit, ended in 2000, using Cannabis.
When I developed a chronic auto-immune disease in Scleroderma and I had exhausted all treatment options, had ulcers on my fingertips which went to the bone, neuropathic pain in feet and hands, oesophageal spasming so severe I had not been able to swallow solid food for almost 2 years and survived on fluids, Raynaud's Flaring cutting off circulation to hands and feet and the ensuing nerve damage each time. I could take no more. Lupus & Sjogren's were then thrown in the mix, more auto-immune conditions.
Painkillers were my only recourse, but these affect me, in quite an extreme way psychologically and do little for pain relief. Quite a lot to deny me any desire or ability to live
I was unable to treat my cancer with Cannabis, as it was 5 months after the ultrasound showing the suspected tumour before I was advised. By that time, the tumour had taken up the top third of my kidney and a nephrectomy was necessaryI now require Cannabis, in both its Raw forms, as a diet essential & preventative for any future cancers, complications of my systemic (connective tissue) auto-immune disease or other diseases which could occur. Also hempseed, which I believe has reversed Sclerodactyly in two then useless fingers, Cannabis Oil to ingest and Cannabis infused ointment for the skin lesions which accompany this disease. My fingers are straight again. My symptoms relieved. My disease stable.
In the last 12 months, I've needed to have my leg amputated due to complications and no access to adequate supply of oil.
I have no choice in this. I need the specific strains and ratios which successfully treat ALL of my medical conditions.
Fighting for Cannabis access is, fighting for my life and my quality of life. My basic HUMAN RIGHT of effective Healthcare. Healthcare which I can AFFORD and is available for my needs, when it is required.
#wewilldefy #patientsbeforeprofits #compassionisnotacrime #endprohibition #cannanannas #novictimnocrime
Treasurer
My background is in nursing. I studied to become a general trained nurse in the hospital system in the early 70s and worked as an RN for 10 yrs specialising in surgical nursing. I started studying nursing re entry thru CQU in 2005 after leaving nursing to run a farm and have a family. I discovered that nursing was a very different world to the one i left and the health system was in poor shape, not where i wanted to be.
In 2007 my daughter Sarah, aged 20, was diagnosed with advanced bowel cancer. They told us there was no hope for her and that chemotherapy would make her “comfortable”. She began a course of intensive, hard hitting chemotherapy every 2 weeks and volunteered for a drug “trial” that she believed may help others in the future. She died 15 months later – as far from being comfortable, as one could get.
It wasn't until several years later I found out about the medicinal effects of cannabis and how it had anti cancer properties. I was inspired to research further by a man I met who had used cannabis oil to cure his liver cancer. He is now cancer free because he defied their diagnosis and the law. He gives hope to others. Without hope we had nothing.
Since then I have heard many more similar stories. This is why I have made it my life purpose to spread the truth about Cannabis.
After the airing of the Dan Haslam story in June 2014, when 2.8 million people responded to a poll that showed 96% of the population were in favour, to "legalise cannabis for MEDICINAL use", I knew something had to be done to give these people a voice.
So with the help and encouragement of the Australian HEMP Party - who created the facebook group for me - the MCUA was born. The group has since grown to reach the incredible milestone of almost 18,000 Aussie face book members and is now an Incorporated Association. It has become Sarah's legacy and I will fight to my last breath to make sure the laws are changed to give unfettered, legal access to the healing, relieving and preventative properties of whole plant Cannabis as food and medicine.
Secretary
I have a very strong administration support background. My introduction to the world of “Medicinal Marijuana” was through my father who, against all moral and outdated teachings, sought for a “cure” for his lung and associated cancers.
Unfortunately, this journey was too late for dad however I was front row to witness the amazing palliative care and improvement in Dad’s cancer which unfortunately stole him from my life.
In my dad’s honour and witnessing the amazing effects that this plant can have on people I have been able to educate myself and I have jumped onboard with MCUA to advocate for laws to be changed.
I am someone who has gone from “Marijuana was a gateway drug” to strongly believing that there is no “recreational use”. Those “recreational” users are more often than not using for therapeutic purposes and why is this government at war with a plant?
My strong administration background enables me to support MCUA in a way that utilises my skills.
Education
Membership
I was born with a ganglion brain tumour which during my mid 20’s caused me to have 9 mini strokes. Once the hospitals had pumped me full of steroids and the swelling reduced, they were finally able to find the golf ball sized tumour which was then removed surgically.
Since this event, and as a result of drugs that were administered and side effects of the strokes, I have had two total hip replacements and have a multitude of other health conditions.
I find that Cannabis is a natural alternative to many drugs and assists me in pain relieve as well as many other symptoms that I endure during my day to day struggles.
I have been witness to my father in law finding palliative solace and relief from a plant that I strongly believe should be a first line and not a last line response.
MCUA has enabled me to learn much about the plant as well as enable me to have a voice to advocate for outdated laws to be brought in line with public demand.
Fundraising