The New South Wales Government has rejected the unanimous recommendation of a parliamentary committee, disallowing a possible pain treatment for AIDS sufferers.

A cross-party parliamentary committee said the illegal drug marijuana should be made available for medicinal purposes to terminally-ill patients and people with AIDS.

The NSW Government believes there is too little evidence on the efficacy of the plant-based treatment for medical conditions.

Despite widespread moves in other countries, no synthetic or natural forms of cannabis have been legalised for use in Australia.

A synthetic aerosol form of the drug known as ‘nabiximol’ is currently undergoing trials in a number of Australian hospitals.

Greens MP John Kaye says the Government’s response is based on fear, not fact.

“The O'Farrell Government has turned their back on some patients in New South Wales who are suffering terribly,” Kaye said.

“This is not about spreading cannabis use, it was about those people who were in terrible pain, who are at the end stage of their lives.

“I'm deeply disappointed that the O'Farrell Government has buckled to cannabis use hysteria when they had a perfect opportunity to bring some relief to the pain and suffering of terminally-ill patients.”

The NSW Government says it supports the potential for prescription pharmaceutical cannabis products to be used in the state, if they are approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.