Dr. Walker questions the Minister for Medical Research about monitoring cannabis research. The Minister confirms no specific office exists but research is considered in the Department's functions.

AnsweredQoN 41Legislative Council
Asked
15 February 2023
Portfolio
Medical Research

QuestionView source ↗

MEDICAL CANNABIS — RESEARCH
41. Hon
Dr BRIAN WALKER to the Minister for Medical Research:
I refer the minister to an article
published on 27 December 2022 on the website NORML showing that a record number
of scientific papers were published about cannabis last year—more than
4 370 in 2022, up from 4 200 in 2021—and that, since 2010, as many as
30 000 peer-reviewed papers specific to cannabis have been produced by
scientists worldwide.
(1) That being the case, is there an office or officer
within the Department of Health responsible for monitoring and reporting
on the publication of national and international research on this and other
medical topics?
(2) If yes to
(1), how often are the minister and his colleague the Minister for Health
briefed on the quantity and quality of data available across both emerging and
established fields of research and what part, if any, does that then play in
the department's own forward planning?
(3) If no to (1),
why not? Given the growing amount of research available to us, will the
minister do what he can to rectify that situation?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) No.
(2) Not applicable.
(3) The
Department of Health supports and facilitates the safe, high quality and
sustainable use of medicines and health
technology for Western Australian patients. Consideration of relevant research
and publications is a part of this function.

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