Medical cannabis users fear police arrest if they submit on Bill

There are concerns that people who want to make submissions to the Government's medicinal cannabis bill are not doing so because they are "too afraid" the police will use the information to arrest them.

With submissions of the Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill closing today, groups are struggling to get their members to make submissions.

Users are concerned that if their name and story is on the public record, it would be easy for police to find them.

The Medicinal Cannabis Awareness Group's Shane Le Brun told RadioLIVE around 20 per cent appear to be put off, fearing consequences for their actions.

"We've got a big database of patients with some pretty severe conditions," he said.

"[But] we're finding that about 20 per cent of them just don't want to put their name on anything to discuss medical cannabis because they're afraid of the police.

"In some cases they've already been hauled over by police a few times for cultivation for personal medical uses."

Some medical cannabis users are fearful they'll be arrested if they make submissions to the Government Cannabis Bill. Photo / 123rf

Le Brun has called for the police to go on record and tell submitters they won't be targetted and will be safe going on the record.

He explained that while for the most part police turn a blind eye to medical cannabis users, submitters are still concerned old-school or rogue officers will target them.

Despite police not making any assurances, Le Brun is encouraging people to make their submissions and follow the advice of the Drug Foundation.