The Turnbull government has "blood on its hands" for not making it easier for terminally-ill patients to access medicinal cannabis, parliament has been told.
"They are responsible for terrible unnecessary suffering and very likely a number of premature deaths," Liberal Democrats senator Senator Leyonhjelm during debate on a private bill that aims to make medicinal cannabis importation simpler.
The changes would give terminally-ill patients quicker, easier access to doctor-prescribed medicinal cannabis by allowing access under the Therapeutic Goods Administration category A list.
Access is now available under category B, which senator David Leyonhjelm, who also supports legalising recreational marijuana, says is slowed down by bureaucratic process.
"The government and its Health Department officials have blood on their hands," he told parliament on Thursday.
Greens leader Richard Di Natale, who proposed the bill, urged government MPs to cross the floor in the lower house to pass the changes.
"It is simple cruelty from this government," he said.
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"These patients are dying and their doctors believe medicinal cannabis may alleviate their suffering, but the government is stopping them from getting it."
But Liberal Dean Smith dismissed concerns about wait times, saying the approval process could take a day.
Allowing access under category A could be potentially dangerous.
"The Australian community should trust the advice of the government, which is informed by specialist medical practitioners," Senator Smith said.
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson called on the government to stop making criminals of caring mums and dads by allowing access to the "miracle drug".
Independent senator Derryn Hinch said the government's position was a disgrace.
"I don't give a damn that they are thwarting the will of the Senate, they are thwarting the will and the rights of sick people in Australia," Senator Hinch said.
In June, the Senate voted to scrap rules which made it harder for dying patients to access medical cannabis, prompting the government to tell importers to ignore the decision.
The Di Natale bill won the approval of the Senate on Thursday but faces a likely defeat in the lower house where the government controls the numbers.
