It has been several years since South Australian woman Jenny Hallam switched to cannabis oil from prescribed medications to help manage chronic pain.
"I first experienced it probably two and a half years ago, after being on morphine for probably about 15 years. I was getting quite sick, and wasting away. When I found out about cannabis oil, I tried it and it was just amazing the difference. Straight away, it changed my life."
The 44 year-old is now an advocate for the use of cannabis oil for the terminally ill.
She could also face charges after police raided her home in January.
John Fitzgerald, an expert in alcohol and drug policy and an associate professor at the University of Melbourne, says cannabis legislation has become complicated since changes were made to federal laws last November.
"Medicinal cannabis is able to be accessed, but it's actually quite complicated, because the states and territories and the federal government have different responsibilities."
Medicinal cannabis is now available to the seriously ill in Western Australia, South Australia and New South Wales, under strict conditions.
Victoria and Queensland will also allow some highly controlled medicinal usage from this year, while the ACT and Tasmania are both considering legislation.
Using it outside official channels can still attract harsh penalties.
This week, the South Australian government brought together key stakeholders to investigate the possibility of local cannabis and hemp production.
Kyam Maher, the state's Minister for Manufacturing, says the government is keen to explore options.
"We're keen to provide the regulatory framework, that if something's economic, it's got a chance of creating industry and creating jobs, so we're keen to look at how we can best do that as a state government."
Greens politician Tammy Franks has been a long-term advocate for medicinal cannabis, and last year introduced a bill to state parliament to legalise hemp growing.
She says the discussions are a step in the right direction.
"I am starting to feel hopeful. Maybe since we've lagged behind for so long, we can learn to lead by learning from the others' mistakes. If it takes the money and the jobs to provide that incentive for SA to lead, so be it. I'm hoping we get good outcomes for people who are sick and suffering."
Manufacturing Minister Kyam Maher says there are still many steps to go before an industry can be established in South Australia, including lobbying to the federal government.
"We've undertaken to reconvene within 90 days, and look at anything that we need to represent to the federal government. The production, cultivation and manufacture of medical cannabis is a federal government issue."
