Narcotic Act review

HEALTH Minister Greg Hunt has appointed Professor John McMillan to review and report on the operation of the Narcotics Drug Act 1967.

The Act establishes a framework to both prevent abuse and diversion of controlled narcotics and to ensure the availability of such drugs for medical and research purposes.

In Oct 2016 the Act was also extended to provide for the regulation of cannabis cultivation and production in Australia “to enable a sustainable supply of safe medicinal cannabis products for therapeutic purpose”.

The review is required as soon as possible after the second anniversary of the commencement of the 2016 amendments, with a report to be tabled in Parliament by 29 Oct 2019.

Hunt said a public consultation process would form part of the review, and this is expected to commence early next year.