Thank you so much for signing my petition on change.org to decriminalise the use of Medical Cannabis for people with terminal illness like my son Dan. As a direct result of your support I am now happy to announce: The Inaugural Australian Medicinal Cannabis Symposium Tamworth Regional Entertainment Centre, Tamworth NSW Friday 21st November and Saturday 22nd November 2014 http://www.unitedincompassion.com.au This is a community funded initiative also supported by the NSW Government Public concern and interest over medicinal cannabis has profoundly escalated over the past year thanks largely to our petition and campaigning. Consequently, a range of politicians and policy makers have indicated their interest in policy reform: from PM Abbott, to NSW Premiers Baird, Chief Minister Gallagher, Nationals Minister Barnaby Joyce, Liberal National Warren Entsch and the progressive Government of the Territory of Norfolk Island. Medicinal Cannabis is an important issue that should unite across the political divide and across all Federal, State and Territorial governments. Australian media from Alan Jones at 2GB, through to the Project on Ten, Insight on SBS and Sunday on 7, as well as print and coverage on the ABC have all highlighted the pitfalls of making criminals out of ordinary Australians who are just trying to manage difficult and painful medical conditions..... This Inaugural Australian Symposium is about utilising lessons already learnt from overseas to help Australia find a solution based on compassion. It is about seeing where Australian scientists are up to but above all it is about helping Australian carers like myself and sick Australians like my son Dan, to be recognised a people just trying to access medicine which relieves debilitating illness and disease. It is about freeing us from the stress and stigma of being considered criminals. I sincerely hope that you accept this as a personal invitation that will allow you to be better informed about medicinal cannabis. Perhaps you signed my petition because you or someone you love is in this untenable position too? Tickets are available through our website link: http://www.unitedincompassion.com.au Full program details and keynote speaker details are available on the website. The program is subject to change as we continue to develop what is shaping up to be a very full program. I look forward to seeing many of you in Tamworth next month Kind regards Lucy Haslam