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University of Sydney Research Paper – Results from the third Cannabis as Medicine study -Legal use of medicinal cannabis on the rise

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The main reason for using prescribed medicinal cannabis was chronic pain, consistent with other prescription data from the Therapeutics Goods Administration, which approves prescription applications and tracks conditions being treated. People using illicit products were more likely to be treating mental health or sleep conditions.

Despite the large increase in patients receiving prescribed products in the last two years, only 24 percent of prescribed patients agreed that the current model for accessing medicinal cannabis was easy or straightforward.

A barrier identified by most respondents was the cost of accessing medicinal cannabis, with an average cost of $79 per week, highlighting the need to address cost of treatment for patients.

People using illicit medical cannabis also cited an inability to find medical practitioners who are willing to prescribe, consistent with findings from a recent 2020 Senate Inquiry into the barriers to patient access to medicinal cannabis in Australia. More work is required to enhance health provider education regarding medicinal cannabis.

“There are advantages in using prescribed medical cannabis over illicit cannabis,” said Professor Iain McGregor, Academic Director of the Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics . “These include safer routes of administration, greater certainty of access, and better communication between patients and doctors. Patients can also be informed of the exact THC/CBD composition, which is an ongoing problem with illicit product. There should be further efforts to transition patients from illicit to regulated, quality-controlled, cannabis products.”

The survey is the latest in the CAMS series, the largest national survey of medicinal cannabis users conducted every two years. It was undertaken as a partnership between the Discipline of Addiction Medicine in conjunction with the Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics at the University of Sydney.



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Asia Pacific & Australia

Cannabiz Weekly Report (Australia) Headlines Suggests A Rather Sickly Sector – Maybe They Need Some Medical Cannabis!

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Firms owed $1.7m by OneLife Labs

OneLife Labs owes more than A$1.7 million to creditors, including $365,000 to Colombian producer Clever Leaves, as potential buyers continue to explore the acquisition of its manufacturing facility.

Health House parent hits financial wall as Melodiol enters administration

Health House parent Melodiol Global Health has entered voluntary administration, the third medicinal cannabis company to hit the financial wall in the space of six weeks.

Epsilon sets ‘roadmap’ but issues remain as firm seeks ASX return

Epsilon Healthcare has “re-established its foundation” and has a “clear roadmap for sustainable profitability”, its chairman has said.

Releaf’s new owners explore plan to bring franchisees back

The newly-formed joint venture which acquired Releaf Group assets has approached former franchisees as it looks to rebuild the network and bring disillusioned patients back into the fold.

Melodiol facing creditor and loan debts of $17m, report reveals

Troubled Melodiol Global Health has racked up A$17 million worth of debt, an initial administrator’s report has revealed, as efforts continue to sell its distribution arm, Health House.

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Paper – Australia: NSW cannabis medicines advisory service retrospective enquiry analysis to inform clinical guidance resource development.

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An innovative New South Wales government funded statewide Cannabis Medicines Advisory Service (CMAS) operated between January 2018 and June 2022. The service provided comprehensive patient-specific and evidence-based information to support health professionals in prescribing and patient care decisions. This study aimed to describe real-world data collected by CMAS.

A sub-set of de-identified, patient-specific enquiries collected between January 2021 and June 2022 (n = 123/567; 21.7%) were analyzed using R version 4.2.1. Diagnosis, indication, and comorbidities were coded using Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities (MedDRA) terminology.

Most patient-specific enquiries from medical practitioners were from general practitioners (n = 103/123; 83.7%). Female (n = 53/123; 43.1%) and male (n = 59/123; 48.0%) patients were similarly represented. Sex was not specified for 8.9% (n = 11/123) of patients. The mean age of patients was 52.1 years (range <10-90). The most common three diagnoses were osteoarthritis, anxiety, and chronic pain. Indications that were most frequently reported included chronic pain, anxiety, back pain, non-neuropathic pain, and insomnia. Comedications were most commonly non-opioid and opioid analgesics and antidepressants. Most practitioners were considering prescribing a cannabidiol (CBD) product for their patient. Cannabinoid composition selection guidance provided by CMAS was predominantly (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) THC:CBD ~1:1, followed by CBD-only products. CMAS was contacted by health professionals regarding the management of potential adverse events for five patients.

The findings of this study shed light on the information medical practitioners were seeking to inform their clinical decision-making about medical cannabis and can inform the development of clinical guidance resources.

© 2024 The Author(s). Neuropsychopharmacology Reports published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of The Japanese Society of Neuropsychopharmacology.



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Australia’s Zenith Cannabis Clinic Throws Up More Question Marks.. It Appears They Are Providing Consults But Have No TGA Approval To Prescribe

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Hi I noticed you had a post about Zenith clinics I recently had a run in with them as I was seeking medication.

They are a scam they take your money which was $29 for the initial consult which they say they will return it’s just a pending holding fee for the consult.

A “so called doctor gives you a call on zoom they prescribe you”.

After two weeks nothing happened I called several times and got the same person with a south African accent they keep on telling me they are waiting for TGA approval this goes on and on they say it sometimes takes a long time.

I was fed up so I called ******* scripts got a free appointment the next day she prescribed me and the TGA approval only took 48hrs and I have the product now already.

I am yet to hear back from Zenith clinic. It’s not the money as it was only $29 but it’s the deception they must be doing this to a lot of people who really need medicine. I wanted to send this as people need to be warned so they are to right decision.



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