Newman has open mind on medical marijuana

The Queensland premier says he has an open mind about legalising marijuana for medical purposes but will rely on the advice of national health experts.

Medical cannabis could soon be legalised in NSW with senior politicians indicating support, as long as concerns about how it would be regulated are dealt with.

Mr Newman says any change in Queensland should be made on the basis of advice from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), not NSW.

"I have an open mind on these things," he told reporters on Wednesday.

"There are so many of our life-saving and pain-alleviating drugs that come from nature, and I see it in that context.

"But I'd be interested in what the NHMRC are saying."