Positive Life NSW is committed to advocating for the rights of people living with HIV (PLHIV) and responding to community needs.
The use of cannabis for medical purposes
In 2015, Advocacy and Policy Officer Lance Feeney spoke to the Inquiry into the Regulator of Medicinal Cannabis Bill 2014 on behalf of PLHIV who use cannabis for therapeutic purposes and symptom relief. He called for the decriminalisation of small quantities of cannabis cultivation and possession for medicinal use and the need for research into the use of medicinal cannabis by PLHIV on behalf of the National Association of People With HIV Australia (NAPWHA) and Positive Life NSW.
2014: Inquiry into the Regulator of Medicinal Cannabis Bill 2014302.87 KB or click here to read the Hansard transcript from the proceedings at day.
2013: NSW Legislative Council's Inquiry into the use of cannabis for medical purposes246.39 KB - Joint ACON and PLNSW submission
Rights of the Terminally Ill
In 2013, Positive Life and ACON support The Rights of the Terminally Ill Bill. Positive Life considered that when no other options are available to a person to relieve their pain and suffering that their rational requests to a medical practitioner to end their pain and distress should be respected and granted. Positive Life and ACON therefore considered that the Bill provided strict and acceptable conditions in relation to the operation and monitoring for the assisted dying process. Unfortunately the Bill was defeated in the NSW Parliament.
2013: Rights of the Terminally Illl Bill 2013830.2 KB - Joint ACON and PLNSW submission
2013: Rights of the Terminally Ill Bill 2013 - Hansard
Resources
Cannabis and HIV/AIDSCannabis and HIV/AIDS - Medicinal Cannabis Australia