❓ Dr. Walker questions the Minister for Health about research gaps regarding cannabis use among Indigenous Australians, referencing a recent paper. The Minister's response highlights the defunct Department of Aboriginal Affairs and existing research funding avenues.
AnsweredQoN 1052Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
CANNABIS — RESEARCH
1052. Hon Dr BRIAN WALKER to the Leader of the House
representing the Minister for Health:
I
refer the minister to a recent paper entitled ''Understanding and
Rebalancing: A Rapid Scoping Review of Cannabis Research Among
Indigenous People'', published in the June 2023 edition of Cannabis
and Cannabinoid Research .
(1) Is the department of Aboriginal affairs aware of
any evidence that would substantiate or, indeed, undermine the
researchers' conclusion that there are ''significant gaps''
in empirical studies examining the lived experience of Indigenous peoples
worldwide in relation to cannabis use, as far as Indigenous peoples here in Western
Australia are concerned?
(2) What local research, if any, has been undertaken
on the use of cannabis within our Indigenous communities here in Western Australia, and does the department
have any plans to encourage such research going forward?
1052. Hon Dr BRIAN WALKER to the Leader of the House
representing the Minister for Health:
I
refer the minister to a recent paper entitled ''Understanding and
Rebalancing: A Rapid Scoping Review of Cannabis Research Among
Indigenous People'', published in the June 2023 edition of Cannabis
and Cannabinoid Research .
(1) Is the department of Aboriginal affairs aware of
any evidence that would substantiate or, indeed, undermine the
researchers' conclusion that there are ''significant gaps''
in empirical studies examining the lived experience of Indigenous peoples
worldwide in relation to cannabis use, as far as Indigenous peoples here in Western
Australia are concerned?
(2) What local research, if any, has been undertaken
on the use of cannabis within our Indigenous communities here in Western Australia, and does the department
have any plans to encourage such research going forward?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) The
department of Aboriginal affairs ceased to exist in 2017. The Western Australian
government notes the significant volume of published and ongoing research into
medicinal cannabis over recent years.
(2) The WA government
encourages and supports research with priority population groups and areas of
emerging health and medical technology, and a number of funding programs and
avenues for researchers exist on this basis. There is no existing barrier for
researchers into medicinal cannabis to apply for and receive funding through
these established channels.
some notice of the question.
(1) The
department of Aboriginal affairs ceased to exist in 2017. The Western Australian
government notes the significant volume of published and ongoing research into
medicinal cannabis over recent years.
(2) The WA government
encourages and supports research with priority population groups and areas of
emerging health and medical technology, and a number of funding programs and
avenues for researchers exist on this basis. There is no existing barrier for
researchers into medicinal cannabis to apply for and receive funding through
these established channels.
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