A GREEN leaf has been the hot topic this week.
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Stories aired across national media on the weekend sparked debate about the legalisation of marijuana in Australia for medical purposes.
The story followed 24-year-old Dan Haslam who suffers from terminal cancer.
For Mr Haslam, using cannabis is the only way to ease the pain of chemotherapy.
A recent poll published by the Southern Highland News asked who was in support of the use of marijuana for medical purposes.
Results showed that 87.3 per cent of respondents supported the use of medicinal marijuana while 8.9 per cent were unsupportive and 3.8 per cent undecided on the matter.
Debate was sparked on the Southern Highland News Facebook page with references made to the medical benefits cannabis could have.
It was raised that 60 grams of cannabis oil was recommended for those suffering from serious diseases including cancer.
In support of this statement, people agreed that if the drug could help people in need, it should be made legal.
However, on the other end of the scale, comments were raised about the possible misuse of marijuana.
In the wake of the current debate, a petition to have marijuana legalised for medical purposes has been shared online by Mr Haslam's mother Lucy Haslam.
The Southern Highland News is looking to interview someone from the area who has had experience with medicinal cannabis.
If you are able to talk, email Dominica at dominica.sanda@fairfaxmedia.com.au or call the office 4861 2333.
Cancer Council lists medical benefits
CANCER Council NSW has listed several medical benefits of cannabis for cancer patients.
Where conventional treatments are unsuccessful, medical marijuana can be beneficial in:
* As an adjunctive analgesic in patients with moderate to severe pain.
* As an appetite stimulant for cancer patients experiencing weight loss and muscle wasting.
* Relieving nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing chemotherapy.
A report by the NSW Government in 2000 found the medical conditions for which cannabis may be medically beneficial include:
* As an appetite stimulant for HIV related wasting.
* Pain unrelieved by conventional treatments.
* Neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis.
The Australian Medical Association considered cannabis may be of medical benefit as an anti-emetic but more research is needed to determine the benefits and the safe and effective methods of administration.
