Authorities urged to crack down on medicinal cannabis scripts after surge in hospitalisations
Authorities have been asked to tighten controls on prescribing and dispensing medical cannabis after health authorities said people were bypassing traditional measures to obtain prescriptions.
Hospital staff have noticed an alarming increase in admissions for cannabis-induced psychosis and cognitive impairment across Australia.
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) and the Australian Pharmacists Association have called on Health Minister Mark Butler to take urgent action to combat the unregulated increase in medical cannabis prescribing and dispensing.
Associations have expressed concern about the proliferation of prescribing and dispensing clinics that operate outside typical care pathways, such as telehealth services.
The groups highlighted coercive practices used by cannabis companies and negative health outcomes among vulnerable groups.
A submission to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) review of the safety and regulatory oversight of non-AMA-approved medical cannabis products noted that emergency room workers reported increased demands on resources at public hospitals related to the use of medical cannabis products with high THC concentrations.
In the presentation, it was stated that patients were hospitalized due to psychosis, addiction and cognitive impairment caused by marijuana.
Doctors were also alarmed to see people with pre-existing psychotic conditions being prescribed medical marijuana.
Hospital workers have also seen an increase in people presenting with a condition called marijuana hyperemesis syndrome, which is caused by recurring nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain from long-term marijuana use.
“Although the TGA has recorded more than 400 adverse events attributed to medical marijuana, the industry considers this to be a gross underestimation,” the AMA said in its presentation.
“The AMA is gravely concerned about the reported increase in cases of cannabis-induced psychosis seen in early psychosis youth treatment programs.
“A recent study examining data from the NSW Poisons Information Center found that the number of cannabis poisonings reported in Australia, particularly those involving children and young people, increased significantly during 2014-24.”
Danielle McMullen, president of the AMA, said medical marijuana is used in situations where it is contraindicated or where its use must be under strict or constant supervision.
“Our members are reporting increasingly serious adverse outcomes for patients,” he said.
“We know that medical marijuana may be helpful for some patients with specific conditions that are supported by evidence, such as epilepsy, chemotherapy-induced nausea, or muscle spasticity in Multiple Sclerosis.
“However, for many conditions for which it is prescribed, such as anxiety, insomnia or depression, there is little or no basis in evidence.
“We welcome the steps taken by regulators to date, including updated prescribing guidance, but urgent action is needed to ensure medical cannabis is prescribed, dispensed and regulated in the same way as other registered drugs of addiction.”
Australian Pharmacists Association National President Trent Twomey said the system was being abused by giving prescriptions without proper clinical supervision and bypassing patients’ regular doctors and pharmacists.
“What started as a proprietary route to medicine has now become the norm, with thousands of products prescribed without safety, quality or effectiveness checks,” Professor Twomey said.
“Pharmacists are committed to safe, evidence-based care. We need stronger governance and regulations to protect patients.”
