The bill, to be introduced to the Senate on Thursday, has been developed by the cross-party Commonwealth Parliamentary Group for Drug Policy and Law Reform.

Under the bill, a new regulator separate from the Therapeutic Goods Administration would oversee the growing and supply of medical marijuana and determine the conditions for which it could be prescribed.

Greens senator Richard Di Natale has been a driving force behind the bill and will also co-sponsor it, along with Liberal Democratic Party senator David Leyonhjelm. The group is also seeking co-sponsorship from a Labor senator.

Senator Macdonald said his co-sponsorship of the bill did not necessarily mean he would support every clause of the bill in its current form.

"However, I think it is an important issue that the Parliament should have an opportunity to investigate, through debate in the Senate chamber, and through the Senate committee process," Senator Macdonald said in a statement.

Senator Macdonald noted the recent LNP state council meeting in Townsville had passed motions supporting the federal parliamentary group's bill in order to allow medical trials of cannabis oil, and calling for such a trial to take place in Queensland.

He said community attitudes to medicinal cannabis were evolving, and lawmakers needed to engage with the issue.

"If I am to properly represent the people of Queensland, and the members of my party, then I need to promote robust debate on this issue," Senator Macdonald said.

The bill is likely to be introduced in the House of Representatives next week, but is unlikely to be debated or voted upon in either chamber until next year.

The proposal for action on the federal level comes as NSW investigates decriminalising medical cannabis. The state government will announce guidelines for a clinical trial in coming weeks that could lead to decriminalisation.

with James Robertson

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