Australia to fund medicinal cannabis studies

Australia will provide A$3m (about R30.5m) for research on the use of cannabis to help cancer patients, its health minister said on Sunday, as the demand for medicinal cannabis products grows rapidly.

While legal in most of Australia, such products are allowed only to patients on the prescription of a doctor, and a licence is required to grow and make medicinal cannabis.

Health minister Greg Hunt said access had been permitted to more than 11,000 patients, with most approvals in 2019.

“There have only been a limited number of well-designed clinical studies on medicinal cannabis, and we need to increase the evidence base to support medical professionals,” he said.

Health ministry data shows 78 companies now licensed to grow and harvest medicinal cannabis, up from one in March 2017.

Hunt was speaking at a fundraising walk led by Olivia Newton-John, the Australian singer and actress who became an ardent advocate of medical cannabis after being diagnosed with cancer.

“I’m a great proponent of it, for general health, for pain, for sleep, for anxiety,” NewtonJohn told Nine News television last week.

“I really believe it is important in my journey.”

Newton-John’s experience and efforts had helped shine a light on the benefits associated with medicinal cannabis, Hunt said, adding that the government would work to ensure access for Australian patients.

“But only when it is prescribed by a medical professional,” he said.

But Australia looks unlikely to change its stance on the recreational use of cannabis.

Federal law prohibits such use, although late in September, the Australian Capital Territory became the first of the country’s six states and two main territories to legalise cannabis for personal use. –