EXPOSURE DRAFT
Mr Shane Rattenbury
(Prepared by Parliamentary Counsel’s Office)
Drugs of Dependence (Cannabis Use for Medical Purposes) Amendment Bill 2014

A Bill for
An Act to amend the Drugs of Dependence Act 1989

    

The Legislative Assembly for the Australian Capital Territory enacts as follows:

1	Name of Act
This Act is the Drugs of Dependence (Cannabis Use for Medical Purposes) Amendment Act 2014.
2	Commencement
This Act commences on a date fixed by the Minister by written notice.
Note 1	The naming and commencement provisions automatically commence on the notification day (see Legislation Act, s 75 (1)).
Note 2	A single day or time may be fixed, or different days or times may be fixed, for the commencement of different provisions (see Legislation Act, s 77 (1)).
Note 3	If a provision has not commenced within 6 months beginning on the notification day, it automatically commences on the first day after that period (see Legislation Act, s 79).
3	Legislation amended
This Act amends the Drugs of Dependence Act 1989.
4	New parts 2 and 3
insert
Part 2	Cannabis for medical conditions
Division 2.1	Definitions—pt 2
6	Definitions—pt 2
In this part:
approval means an approval under division 2.2.
cannabis cultivation licence—see section 16 (1).
category 1 application—see section 7 (3).
category 2 application—see section 7 (4).
category 3 application—see section 7 (5).
conventional—a medical treatment for a symptom is conventional if it is a medical or surgical treatment that is generally accepted by the Australian medical community as a treatment for the symptom.
licence means a cannabis cultivation licence.
medical condition means a medical condition in relation to which an approval may be given.
medical declaration means a declaration under section 8.
nominated person means—
	(a)	for an application for a cannabis cultivation licence—the person nominated as mentioned in section 16 (4) (e); and
	(b)	for a cannabis cultivation licence—the person nominated under the licence to cultivate cannabis for the holder of the licence.
terminal illness means a medical condition for which the life expectancy is less than 1 year.
Division 2.2	Cannabis for medical conditions—approval
7	Application for approval
	(1)	A person may apply, in writing, to the chief health officer for approval to possess and use cannabis.
Note	If a form is approved under s 205 for an application, the form must be used.
	(2)	The application may be a category 1, category 2 or category 3 application.
	(3)	A category 1 application is an application for approval to possess and use cannabis for the mitigation of a symptom of a terminal illness or its treatment.
	(4)	A category 2 application is an application for approval to possess and use cannabis for the mitigation of any of the symptoms mentioned in an item in table 7, column 3 (or prescribed by regulation) of a medical condition mentioned in the item, column 2 (or prescribed by regulation).
Table 7
column 1
item	column 2
medical condition	column 3
symptom	
1 	cancer
AIDS
HIV infection	severe nausea
cachexia
anorexia
weight loss
severe pain	
2 	multiple sclerosis
spinal cord injury or disease	persistent muscle spasms
severe pain	
3 	epilepsy	seizures	
	(5)	A category 3 application is an application for approval to possess and use cannabis for the mitigation of a symptom of any other medical condition or its treatment.
	(6)	The application must be signed by the applicant and must state—
	(a)	the applicant’s name and date of birth; and
	(b)	the contact details for the applicant prescribed by regulation; and
	(c)	whether the applicant or someone nominated by the applicant would cultivate the cannabis for which the approval is sought; and
	(d)	that the applicant has discussed with the doctor providing the medical declaration for the application—
	(i)	the likely risks and benefits of using cannabis; and 
	(ii)	how the applicant would administer the cannabis and manage its use.
	(7)	The application must be accompanied by—
	(a)	a medical declaration by a doctor in accordance with section 8; and
	(b)	for a category 3 application—an additional medical declaration by another doctor in accordance with section 9.
	(8)	A regulation may prescribe additional matters that an application, or a declaration accompanying an application, must state or be accompanied by.
8	Medical declaration
	(1)	A medical declaration mentioned in section 7 (7) (a) must be signed by the doctor making it and must state—
	(a)	the doctor’s name; and
	(b)	the contact details for the doctor prescribed by regulation; and
	(c)	the applicant’s medical condition; and
	(d)	the symptom associated with the condition or its treatment that is the basis for the application; and 
	(e)	that the doctor has discussed with the applicant—
	(i)	the likely risks and benefits of using cannabis; and 
	(ii)	how the applicant would administer the cannabis and manage its use.
	(2)	For a category 1 application, the medical declaration must also state that—
	(a)	the applicant suffers from a terminal illness; and
	(b)	the life expectancy for the applicant is less than 1 year; and
	(c)	all conventional treatments for the symptoms of the illness or its treatment have been tried or considered.
	(3)	For a category 2 or 3 application, the medical declaration must also state that—
	(a)	the doctor specialises in an area of medicine (stated in the declaration) relevant to the treatment of the applicant’s medical condition; and
	(b)	all conventional treatments for the symptom of the condition have been tried or considered and each of them is medically inappropriate for 1 or more of the following reasons:
	(i)	the treatment has been ineffective; 
	(ii)	the applicant has experienced an allergic reaction to the drug used as a treatment, or there is a risk that the applicant would experience cross-sensitivity to a drug of that kind; 
	(iii)	the applicant has experienced an adverse drug reaction to the drug used as a treatment, or there is a risk that the applicant would experience an adverse drug reaction based on a previous adverse drug reaction to a drug of the same kind; 
	(iv)	the drug used as a treatment has resulted in an undesirable interaction with another medication being used by the applicant, or there is a risk that this would happen; 
	(v)	the drug used as a treatment is contraindicated; 
	(vi)	the drug under consideration as a treatment has a similar chemical structure and pharmacological activity to a drug that has been ineffective for the applicant.
9	Category 3 application—additional medical declaration
The additional medical declaration mentioned in section 7 (7) (b) must be signed by the doctor making it and must state—
	(a)	the doctor’s name; and
	(b)	the contact details for the doctor prescribed by regulation; and
	(c)	that the doctor specialises in an area of medicine (stated in the declaration) relevant to the treatment of the applicant’s medical condition; and
	(d)	that the doctor—
	(i)	has reviewed the applicant’s medical records and the information provided in the medical declaration given under section 7 (7) (a) for the application; and
	(ii)	has discussed the applicant’s case with the doctor who made that declaration; and
	(iii)	has discussed with the applicant—
	(A)	the likely risks and benefits of using cannabis; and 
	(B)	how the applicant would administer the cannabis and manage its use.
10	Decision on approval application
	(1)	The chief health officer must—
	(a)	approve the application; or
	(b)	refuse to approve the application.
	(2)	If the application is in accordance with section 7, the chief health officer must approve the application.
	(3)	However, the chief health officer must refuse the application if—
	(a)	for a category 3 application—the applicant is not an adult; or
	(b)	any information in the application is false or misleading; or
	(c)	the chief health officer has reasonable grounds for disagreeing with anything stated in a medical declaration accompanying the application; or
	(d)	for a category 1 application—
	(i)	the applicant has already held approvals based on category 1 applications for 2 years; and
	(ii)	the additional requirements (if any) prescribed by regulation are not satisfied.
	(4)	Subsection (3) (d) does not prevent the chief health officer giving an approval based on a category 2 or 3 application to a person who has previously held approvals based on category 1 applications for 2 years.
	(5)	If the chief health officer proposes to refuse the application, the chief health officer must—
	(a)	tell the applicant; and
	(b)	give the applicant a stated reasonable time to make representations to the chief health officer about the application; and
	(c)	consider any representation made within that time.
	(6)	An approval must be given in writing and must state—
	(a)	the name and date of birth of the person to whom it is given; and
	(b)	the person’s home address; and
	(c)	the symptom, and the associated medical condition (or its treatment), for which the approval is given; and
	(d)	the date of issue; and
	(e)	the date of expiry.
Note	For how documents may be given, see the Legislation Act, pt 19.5.
11	Approval conditions
	(1)	An approval is subject to any conditions—
	(a)	stated in the approval; or
	(b)	prescribed by regulation.
	(2)	The conditions stated in the approval must include—
	(a)	the condition that cannabis possessed under the approval may only be used for the purpose of the approval; and
	(b)	a condition requiring the holder to ensure that the holder’s medical condition, and the impact of using cannabis, is monitored regularly by the holder’s doctor; and
	(c)	a condition about the maximum quantity of cannabis the holder may possess at any time.
	(3)	The conditions stated in the approval may include any other conditions the chief health officer considers appropriate.
12	Approval application—notice of decision
The chief health officer must give written notice of the decision on the approval application to—
	(a)	the applicant; and
	(b)	the doctor who provided the medical declaration under section 8 for the application; and
	(c)	if an additional medical declaration was provided under section 9 for the application—the doctor who provided that declaration.
Note	For how documents may be given, see the Legislation Act, pt 19.5.
13	Operation of approval
An approval is effective for the period (not longer than 1 year) stated in the approval.
14	Authorised activity under approval
	(1)	The holder of an approval may possess and use cannabis in accordance with the approval.
	(2)	A person assisting the holder of the approval may possess cannabis to administer it to the holder, and administer it to the holder, in accordance with the approval.
15	Cancellation of approval
	(1)	The chief health officer may cancel an approval if the chief health officer believes on reasonable grounds that the holder, or the nominated person (if any), has contravened a condition of the approval.
	(2)	If the chief health officer proposes to cancel an approval, the chief health officer must—
	(a)	tell the holder; and
	(b)	give the holder a stated reasonable time to make representations to the chief health officer about the proposed cancellation; and
	(c)	consider any representation made within that time.
	(3)	The cancellation takes effect on the day notice of the decision is given under section 27.
Division 2.3	Cannabis for medical conditions—licence to cultivate
16	Application for cannabis cultivation licence
	(1)	A person may apply, in writing, to the chief health officer for a licence allowing the person, or someone nominated by the person, to cultivate cannabis (a cannabis cultivation licence) for the purpose of an approval under division 2.2.
Note	If a form is approved under s 205 for an application, the form must be used.
	(2)	Application may only be made by a person who—
	(a)	holds an approval under division 2.2; or
	(b)	has applied for the approval; or
	(c)	applies for the approval when applying for the licence.
	(3)	If subsection (2) (b) or (c) applies, the chief health officer must decide the approval application before considering the licence application.
	(4)	The application must be signed by the applicant and must state—
	(a)	the applicant’s name and date of birth; and
	(b)	the contact details for the applicant prescribed by regulation; and
	(c)	if the applicant holds an approval—the issue date of the approval; and
	(d)	if the applicant does not hold an approval—whether subsection (2) (b) or (c) applies to the applicant; and
	(e)	whether the applicant or someone nominated by the applicant would cultivate the cannabis; and
	(f)	the street address of the place where the cannabis is proposed to be cultivated (the cultivation place); and
	(g)	a description of the cultivation area at that place; and
	(h)	the street address of the place where the cannabis is proposed to be kept; and
	(i)	the security measures proposed to be taken for—
	(i)	the cultivation place; and
	(ii)	the place where the cannabis is to be kept.
	(5)	If the applicant does not own or live at the cultivation place, the application must be accompanied by the written consent of the owner of the place for cannabis to be cultivated at the place.
	(6)	If the application is to allow someone nominated by the applicant to cultivate the cannabis, the application must be accompanied by a declaration by that person in accordance with section 17.
	(7)	A regulation may prescribe additional matters that an application, or any declaration accompanying an application, must state or be accompanied by.
17	Declaration by nominated person
A declaration mentioned in section 16 (6) must be signed by the person making it and must state—
	(a)	the person’s name and date of birth; and
	(b)	the contact details for the person prescribed by regulation; and
	(c)	that the person—
	(i)	has not been found guilty or convicted in the previous 5 years of an offence involving drugs that is prescribed by regulation; and
	(ii)	consents to cultivating cannabis for the applicant for the purpose of an approval under division 2.2.
18	Cannabis cultivation licence application—decision
	(1)	The chief health officer must—
	(a)	approve the application; or
	(b)	refuse to approve the application.
	(2)	If the application is in accordance with section 16, the chief health officer must approve the application.
	(3)	However, the chief health officer must refuse the application if—
	(a)	the applicant does not hold an approval under division 2.2; or
	(b)	the applicant, or the nominated person (if any)—
	(i)	is not an adult; or
	(ii)	is the holder of, or nominated person for, another cannabis cultivation licence; or
	(iii)	has had a cannabis cultivation licence revoked in the past 5 years; or
	(c)	any information in the application is false or misleading; or
	(d)	the chief health officer is not satisfied that the proposed security measures stated in the application are adequate; or
	(e)	the proposed cultivation place is the cultivation place under another cannabis cultivation licence.
	(4)	If the chief health officer proposes to refuse the application, the chief health officer must tell the applicant and give the applicant a stated reasonable time to make representations to the chief health officer about the application and consider any representation made within that time.
	(5)	A cannabis cultivation licence must state—
	(a)	the name and date of birth of the person to whom it is issued; and
	(b)	the person’s home address; and
	(c)	who is authorised to cultivate cannabis under the licence; and
	(d)	the cultivation place; and
	(e)	the date of issue; and
	(f)	the date of expiry.
19	Cannabis cultivation licence conditions
	(1)	A cannabis cultivation licence is subject to any conditions—
	(a)	stated in the licence; or 
	(b)	prescribed by regulation.
	(2)	The conditions stated in the licence must include—
	(a)	the condition that cannabis cultivated under the licence may be used only for the purpose of the approval to which the licence relates; and
	(b)	the condition that cannabis may only be cultivated at the cultivation place stated in the licence; and
	(c)	conditions about—
	(i)	the maximum number of plants that may be under cultivation at any time under the licence; and
	(ii)	the maximum amount of cannabis (not more than a trafficable quantity) that may be kept at any time under the licence; and
	(iii)	records that must be kept by the licence holder.
	(3)	The conditions stated in the licence may include any other conditions the chief health officer considers appropriate.
	(4)	In this section:
trafficable quantity, of cannabis, means a quantity of cannabis that is a trafficable quantity of cannabis under the Criminal Code, chapter 6 (Serious drug offences).
20	Cannabis cultivation licence application—notice of decision
The chief health officer must give written notice of the decision on the cannabis cultivation licence application to—
	(a)	the applicant; and
	(b)	if a nominated person declaration was provided under section 17 for the application—the nominated person.
Note	For how documents may be given, see the Legislation Act, pt 19.5.
21	Operation of cannabis cultivation licence
A cannabis cultivation licence is effective for the period (not longer than 1 year) stated in the licence.
22	Authorised activity under cannabis cultivation licence
	(1)	A person authorised under a cannabis cultivation licence to cultivate or keep cannabis may cultivate or keep cannabis in accordance with the licence.
	(2)	A nominated person for a cannabis cultivation licence may supply cannabis in accordance with the licence to the holder of the licence.
23	Cancellation of cannabis cultivation licence
	(1)	The chief health officer may cancel a cannabis cultivation licence if the chief health officer believes on reasonable grounds that the holder, or the nominated person (if any), has contravened a condition of the licence.
	(2)	If the chief health officer proposes to cancel a licence, the chief health officer must—
	(a)	tell the holder; and
	(b)	give the licence holder a stated reasonable time to make representations to the chief health officer about the proposed cancellation; and
	(c)	consider any representation made within that time.
	(3)	The cancellation takes effect on the day notice of the decision is given under section 27.
Division 2.4	Other matters
24	Approval and licence register
	(1)	The chief health officer must keep a register (the approval and licence register) of—
	(a)	approvals given under division 2.2; and
	(b)	licences issued under division 2.3.
	(2)	The approval and licence register—
	(a)	must include the information prescribed by regulation; and
	(b)	may include anything else the chief health officer considers appropriate.
25	Review of operation of pt 2
	(1)	The Minister must arrange for a committee (the review committee) to review the operation of this part as soon as practicable after 3 years of its operation.
	(2)	The review committee must consist of 5 or more people appointed by the Minister.
Note 1	For the making of appointments (including acting appointments), see the Legislation Act, pt 19.3.  
Note 2	In particular, a person may be appointed for a particular provision of a law (see Legislation Act, s 7 (3)) and an appointment may be made by naming a person or nominating the occupant of a position (see Legislation Act, s 207).
Note 3	Certain Ministerial appointments require consultation with an Assembly committee and are disallowable (see Legislation Act, div 19.3.3).
	(3)	The Minister must try to ensure that the following people are appointed as members:
	(a)	a person nominated by the director-general who is to be the chair of the committee;
	(b)	a person to represent the interests of the medical profession; 
	(c)	a person to represent the interests of the police;
	(d)	1 or more people to represent the interests of people suffering from any of the medical conditions mentioned in table 7;
	(e)	a person to represent the community generally.
	(4)	The review committee must give a report of its review to the Minister within 6 months after the day the committee is appointed.
	(5)	The report must include a recommendation about whether or not the cannabis for medical conditions scheme should continue.
	(6)	The Minister must present the review committee’s report to the Legislative Assembly within 6 sitting days after the day the Minister receives the report.
Part 3	Notification and review of decisions
26	Meaning of reviewable decision—pt 3
In this part:
reviewable decision means a decision mentioned in schedule 1, column 3 under a provision of this Act mentioned in column 2 in relation to the decision.
27	Reviewable decision notices
If a person makes a reviewable decision, the person must give a reviewable decision notice to each entity mentioned in schedule 1, column 4 in relation to the decision.
Note 1	The person must also take reasonable steps to give a reviewable decision notice to any other person whose interests are affected by the decision (see ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2008, s 67A). 
Note 2	The requirements for reviewable decision notices are prescribed under the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2008.
28	Applications for review
The following may apply to the ACAT for a review of a reviewable decision:
	(a)	an entity mentioned in schedule 1, column 4 in relation to the decision;
	(b)	any other person whose interests are affected by the decision.
Note	If a form is approved under the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2008 for the application, the form must be used.
5	Possessing prohibited substances
Section 171 (2)
after
authorised under
insert
this Act,
6	New schedule 1
insert
Schedule 1	Reviewable decisions
(see pt 3)

column 1
item	column 2
section	column 3
decision	column 4
entity	
1	10	refuse application for approval to possess and use cannabis	applicant for approval	
2	10	give approval to possess and use cannabis subject to conditions	applicant for approval	
3	15	cancel approval to possess and use cannabis	approval holder	
4	18	refuse application for cannabis cultivation licence	applicant for licence	
5	19	give cannabis cultivation licence subject to conditions	applicant for licence	
6	23	cancel cannabis cultivation licence	licence holder	
7	Dictionary, new definitions
insert
approval, for part 2 (Cannabis for medical conditions)—see section 6.
cannabis cultivation licence, for part 2 (Cannabis for medical conditions)—see section 16 (1). 
category 1 application, for part 2 (Cannabis for medical conditions)—see section 7 (3). 
category 2 application, for part 2 (Cannabis for medical conditions)—see section 7 (4). 
category 3 application, for part 2 (Cannabis for medical conditions)—see section 7 (5). 
conventional, for part 2 (Cannabis for medical conditions)—see section 6. 
licence, for part 2 (Cannabis for medical conditions)—see section 6. 
medical condition, for part 2 (Cannabis for medical conditions)—see section 6. 
medical declaration, for part 2 (Cannabis for medical conditions)—see section 6. 
nominated person, for part 2 (Cannabis for medical conditions)—see section 6. 
reviewable decision, for part 3 (Notification and review of decisions)—see section 26. 
terminal illness, for part 2 (Cannabis for medical conditions)—see section 6. 

Endnotes
1	Presentation speech
	Presentation speech made in the Legislative Assembly on	2014.
2	Notification
	Notified under the Legislation Act on	2014.
3	Republications of amended laws
	For the latest republication of amended laws, see www.legislation.act.gov.au.