A significant shift from illicit to legal consumption of medicinal cannabis is underway in Australia, reveals a University of Sydney study. As chronicled in the university’s recent article, this transition is marked by a growing preference for prescribed cannabis products over their illicit counterparts. The study highlights that users of prescribed cannabis are more inclined towards non-smoking consumption methods, such as oral or vaporized intake, offering a healthier alternative to traditional methods.

A key finding of the study is the overwhelmingly positive impact of medicinal cannabis, with a staggering 95% of respondents reporting improvements in their health conditions. Chronic pain emerges as the primary reason for prescribed usage, aligning with the patterns observed in data from the Therapeutics Goods Administration. Despite these promising developments, challenges persist, notably in the form of accessibility and the high cost of treatments, underscoring the need for continued efforts to streamline patient access to medicinal cannabis in Australia.