Parliament approved a new law on Wednesday night that will allow cannabis to be grown for medical and scientific purposes.

The Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety will have the exclusive right to grow the plant.

Michael Bach, head of the Austrian Pain Studies Association, welcomed the legislation. He said: "Any initiative that makes it possible to develop and provide new drugs for pain therapy is welcome.

"Substances drawn from cannabis have been used for medical purposes more and more in the last few years," he added.

Normally, possession of, or dealing in, cannabis incurs a six-month prison sentence in Austria.

2004 H.U.M.A.N.: Hemp Users Medical Access Network - Toronto Medical Marijuana