Australian Greens Leader Dr Richard Di Natale today cautiously welcomed the government's bill to establish a national licensing scheme for the cultivation of medicinal cannabis but warned that it still falls short of delivering for patients.

"The Health Minister has labelled its medicinal cannabis legislation the ‘missing piece' when it is really just the first piece of the puzzle," said Senator Di Natale.

The Greens say the Turnbull Government has failed to deliver legal access to medicinal cannabis to Australians who've been expecting it by the end of this year.

"Patients need access to this medication, and they shouldn't have to break the law to get it," said Greens Leader Dr Richard Di Natale.

"The test of any medicinal cannabis legislation is whether it allows patients with medically approved conditions to legally and affordably access medicinal cannabis products through their doctor.

Australian Greens Leader, Dr Richard Di Natale today welcomed the government’s announcement on medicinal cannabis but warned that it doesn’t deal with the biggest barriers that will prevent patients from accessing it.

“I welcome that both the Government and Opposition have finally acknowledged that medicinal cannabis reform is needed, however today’s announcement only delivers a small part of changes required,” said Senator Di Natale.

Australian Greens Leader Dr Richard Di Natale today called on the federal Labor and Liberal parties to get behind his cross-party bill to establish a regulator of medicinal cannabis and pass it before the end of the year. “The bill to establish a federal regulator of medicinal cannabis has co-sponsors from all sides of politics and it’s been unanimously endorsed by a Senate Inquiry – all that’s left to do is vote on it,” said Dr Di Natale.

The Greens are reiterating calls for the Abbott government to bring medicinal cannabis legislation to a vote, in light of the Victorian Law Reform Commission's recommendation that the State Government proceed with a cannabis cultivation trial.

"Unfortunately, Victoria's trial can't proceed without the federal parliament passing supporting legislation," said Victorian Greens leader Greg Barber.

"We need action from the federal parliament before the trial can proceed."