A NSW parliamentary inquiry says there are "real challenges for regional and rural patients to access medicinal cannabis."

The First Report on the Impact of the Regulatory Framework for Cannabis in New South Wales was tabled in parliament on 31 October.

The inquiry recommended small steps towards the legalisation of cannabis by giving easier access to cannabis users with genuine medical reasons. 

The process includes relaxing certain rules around cannabis use, such as allowing for a medicinal use defense for driving with "a presence of the prescribed illicit drug in oral fluid, blood, or urine."

The report added that in return the mixing of cannabis and alcohol would contribute as an aggravating factor to the relevant criminal offence.

"This framework should begin with a relaxation but not elimination of the criminalisation of cannabis," the report stated. 

Veteran Wayne Craft from Coonamble has been using medicinal cannabis for pain management and anxiety for the past two years. 

"It's brilliant," Mr Craft said. "Far better than Panadol. It's like chalk and cheese."

The Department of Veteran's Affairs covers the cost of his medicine which gets shipped out from Queensland and Victoria. 

"Mine is all funded by the DVA so it's not impacting me financially but if you had to pay for it, it would be fairly expensive," Mr Craft said. 

He said that it takes about six weeks for his medicinal cannabis to arrive after he puts an order in. 

"There needs to be further investigation of reported barriers to accessing medicinal cannabis in New South Wales, including high prices, low coverage in regional and rural areas, and a complex system that is difficult to navigate," the report said. 

The committee, chaired by Legalise Cannabis MLC Jeremy Buckingham, also recommended changing the maximum penalty for personal possession of cannabis, adding that the punishable quantities for cannabis are too low. 

 Jeremy Buckingham in a field of cannabis in Tasmania. Photo: Jeremy Buckingham Facebook

"The criminal prosecution of minor cannabis offenses can cause considerable harm to the individual which is disproportionate to their actions."

According to the report, the barriers that are in place are forcing people with genuine medical needs to turn to the illicit market. 

The government has until 31 January 2025 to draft a response to the inquiry.