Medicinal cannabis is causing harm to some patients, with doctors warning of a significant increase of people ending up in hospital with psychosis after being prescribed the drug.
Their concerns come amid a proliferation of "single-issue" cannabis clinics setting up in Australia, some of them willing to prescribe via telehealth consultations with few checks.
Brett Emmerson, Queensland chair of the Royal Australian and New Zealand's College of Psychiatrists, says the college wants stronger regulations of medicinal cannabis products and prescribing practices.
"We're seeing a lot of people getting medicinal cannabis who end up with their first psychotic episode, or we're seeing it dispensed to people who have psychotic conditions, and these people are relapsing," Professor Emmerson says.
"Part of the issue … are these single-issue clinics which, if you ring up, it doesn't matter what you say you want.
"They'll provide it for you even though there is probably no indication that it will work, and the prescribers never contact the person's treating doctor.
"You find out two or three months down the track that one of your patients has been on medicinal cannabis — not prescribed by you but by some other prescriber — usually a doctor who hasn't had the professional courtesy of contacting you and letting you know."
Story by : Janelle Miles and Elise Worthington
Original story : https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-07-21/medicinal-cannabis-psychosis-harm-risk-prescription-marijuana/104116952
