Australian state government to trial medicinal cannabis

Australia's Queensland government will launch its own medicinal cannabis trial in conjunction with other states, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced Monday.

Palaszczuk said her government would work with state governments in New South Wales and Victoria to trial the procedure.

"There has been a lot of debate about the benefits of medicinal cannabis treatment, both here and overseas," Palaszczuk told a press conference.

"I have received significant correspondence from Queensland families urging our government to take part in the trial being run by the NSW Government."

"Just last week I spoke to a Toowoomba mother whose son suffers from a severe form of epilepsy, and all she wants is a government that's willing to step up and investigate this form of treatment."

"I have listened to the views of those Queenslanders, and now my government will make that commitment."

Cannabis has been used to reduce nausea and vomiting in chemotherapy and people with HIV/AIDS, and to treat pain and muscle spasticity. Endi