The home of an Adelaide woman who supplies medicines based on cannabis oil at no cost to the sick and terminally ill has been raided by South Australian Police.
According to an ABC News report, Jenny Hallam has been reported for drug-related offences. Chemicals and other substances were removed from her Hillier address by police.
Aside from the stress and consequences for Ms. Hallam, who describes herself as a wildlife carer and medicinal cannabis activist, the people she provides preparations to are now facing disruption to supply; with potentially severe consequences.
One person receiving cannabis oil from Ms. Hallam previously suffered from frequent and painful spasms that would last up to two hours. Since using the medicinal cannabis preparation, he reports only experiencing 3 spasms in 19 months, all of which were of a very short duration.
In a follow-up report from the ABC, concerned parents have expressed fears for the lives of dozens of sick children as a result of the raid.
Ms. Hallam posted a number of tweets about the situation, but has since removed them on the advice of her lawyer, Heather Stokes.
Ms. Stokes, who has been involved with a number of high profile criminal cases, is a barrister associated with Legoe Chambers in Adelaide. Her profile states she has previously spoken out on issues connected with the medicinal use of cannabis.
“This is a woman who is doing it because people need it,” said Ms. Stokes in an interview with The Advertiser.
“There is scientific evidence out there to tell us it works. She doesn’t grow the cannabis she uses … (and) she doesn’t sell it.”
The situation has cause outrage among medical cannabis supporters and will likely result in added pressure on the South Australian and Australian governments to accelerate and extend efforts concerning access.
In April last year, South Australian Health Minister Jack Snelling ruled out changing laws in South Australia at that point in time. In May, The Greens pushed for medical cannabis crops to be grown in South Australia.
Last month, Industrial Hemp Bill 2016 was introduced by Greens MLC Tammy Franks in SA’s Parliament.
At a Federal level, medical cannabis is only available through trials and very limited and complex special access schemes.
While things are moving along in Australia, it’s happening far too slowly for those who are suffering now; with their pain made even more frustrating knowing there is an effective treatment.
