Medicinal cannabis bill introduced in Vic

Victorians are one step closer to accessing medicinal cannabis as the state government introduces legislation to legalise the drug for exceptional cases.

Victorian families will be able to access medicinal cannabis in exceptional circumstances from as early as 2017.

The state government will introduce a bill on Tuesday enabling the cultivation and manufacture of the drug to treat chronic illnesses, including severe epilepsy.

The proposed law would also establish the Office of Medicinal Cannabis within the Department of Health and Human Services to oversee the manufacturing and dispensing of the drug, as well as support new research.