MEDICINAL cannabis campaigner Lucy Haslam is one of nine people appointed to an advisory council to guide the NSW government’s medicinal cannabis research program.
The Tamworth mother, whose son Dan lost his battle with cancer in February, joins doctors and academics on the council, which will work with the Centre for Medicinal Cannabis Research and Innovation.
The council, which includes Professor Richard Day AM, Professor Adrian Dunlop, Dr Bronwyn Evans, Mrs Lucy Haslam, Professor Alison Jones, Professor Graham King, Professor Laurent Rivory, Dr Saxon Smith and Dr Kendra Sundquist, will meet for the first time today in Sydney
The NSW Government has invested $12 million to establish the Centre for Medicinal Cannabis Research and Innovation, as well as $9 million for three clinical trials.
A trial focusing on improving quality of life, and symptoms such as pain, nausea and vomiting for adults with a terminal illness is being led by the University of New South Wales’ chief investigator, Associate Professor Meera Agar.
Funding has also been provided for a clinical trial for children with severe, drug-resistant epilepsy and the third trail will assist adults with chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, where standard treatment is ineffective.
Centre for Medicinal Cannabis Research and Innovation director Professor Mary O’Kane said the centre would draw on the council’s experience and expertise to help set its research priorities and identify potential research and industry collaborations.
“There’s a lot of activity happening right now in the medicinal cannabis space – and it’s absolutely vital that what we’re doing in NSW is guided by best practice, and connected to what researchers and industry players are doing worldwide,” Professor O’Kane said.
