The New South Wales Parliamentary Committee recommended the approval of medical marijuana for state residents suffering from cancer, AIDS or other end-stage ailments. The proposed law would allow patients to possess and use up to 15 grammes of cannabis.

However, people with these ailments and their carers must produce a certificate from a specialist and register with the state Department of Health to be issued an identification card with photo.

Despite the committee's recommendation, NSW Acting Health Minister Kevin Humphries said the state would proceed with caution due to failure of previous similar proposals due to difficulty in sourcing marijuana since its importation is still illegal under commonwealth law while NSW has no plans to cultivate the weed.

The recommendation is supported by several parties, including the Liberal, National, Labor, Greens and Shooters.

Committee member Adam Searle said that while issues often divide Australian politicians, in the case of medical marijuana, they set their differences aside to help alleviate human suffering.

"We looked at the evidence from sufferers, carers and clinicians and found their evidence compelling that cannabis and cannabinoid products could play a useful role to ease suffering," Mr Searle was quoted by The Sydney Morning Herald.

Sarah Mitchell, chairwoman of the committee, said legalising medical marijuana is a better option for patients with severe ailments so they could benefit from pharmaceutical preparation versions of the cannabis.

"We recognise the risks and negative effects of crude cannabis use, particularly via smoking, and by no means do we endorse the recreational use of cannabis," The Australian quoted Ms Mitchell.

The committee called on the Upper House to amend the Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act for medical marijuana to become legal in Australia.

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