SW couple calls for legalised medical cannabis

Jenny and Stuart Foster live in hope that medical cannabis will be legalised in WA in their lifetime.

Mrs Foster was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease 13 years ago and has recently spent a considerable time in hospital and on a cocktail of prescription drugs.

Through their own research and discussions with medical cannabis groups, the couple aged in their late 60s believe cannabis oil could reduce the symptoms of the disease and give back Mrs Foster's quality of life.

New South Wales will start clinical trials in medical cannabis next year.

The Fosters would like to see WA be the next State to take part in a trial and see a team of doctors and researchers look at the benefits of the plant.

Mrs Foster doesn't suffer from tremors but said the disease had affected her speech, ability to swallow and walk.

She said the disease was unpredictable and symptoms could change rapidly.

"Some days I will be able to talk and walk normally and other days I can't," she said.

"It's frustrating because I'm still young enough to do the things I want in life, but my body is stopping me.

"There are a range of drugs on the market but they have side effects and I have no idea what's in them or what further damage they are doing to my body."

Mrs Foster's body is starting to get used to her medication and soon she will have to try something else.

There are only a handful of options left, many of them being surgical or more chemical-based prescription drugs.

Mr Foster said he understood the law but felt there was a way to regulate medical cannabis like other prescription drugs.

He said he himself has been ignorant about cannabis in the past.

"I'm guilty of being ignorant. Prior to finding out what it could do for Jen, I was always against it," he said.

"We don't understand until we watch our loved one go through something like this.

"There has been so much research overseas, which suggests it can help and if we can help those suffering, why shouldn't it be legalised?"

He said the problem with cannabis is that people were scared.

"We've all grown up believing cannabis is bad and thinking that the next step is heroin, but we need to change our ideology," he said.

"If two people in Busselton read this story and have their view on medical cannabis changed, then that's a start.

"I have no doubt it will be legalised. I just hope it can be legalised in our time so my wife can have a better quality of life."