Research in Australia has confirmed anecdotal evidence that cannabis gives long-lasting relief for many suffers of chronic pain and insomnia.
A new study published in the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) last week
touts “significant improvements” in quality of life for people with those conditions, with the positive effects being “largely sustained” over time.
The analysis was conducted in 3148 people in Australia, who were prescribed medical cannabis for treating certain eligible conditions.
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Eight wellbeing indicators were tested, with patients being asked to rate their wellness on a scale of 0-100 at different stages of treatment.
The eight categories were general health, bodily pain, physical functioning, role limitations, mental health, emotional role limitations, social functioning and vitality.
Results from the survey overwhelmingly showed that cannabis helped, while adverse side effects were “rarely serious”.
“These findings suggest that medical cannabis treatment may be associated with improvements in health-related quality of life among patients with a range of health conditions,” said the study’s researchers.
So, how can patients get medical cannabis?
In 2016, the Australian federal government legalised the sale and use of medicinal cannabis, which jump-started the domestic industry.
But its use exploded in 2019, with around 3 per cent of Aussies reportedly using some form of cannabis to treat chronic pain and mental health issues.
While the TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration) regulates access, most medicinal cannabis products in Australia are considered to be unapproved medicines – which means they have not been assessed by the TGA for safety, quality or effectiveness.
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The TGA advises that those wondering whether medicinal cannabis is right for their condition should have a conversation with their doctor as a first step.
There are currently no restrictions imposed by the TGA on the conditions for which a doctor may prescribe cannabis.
But an application to the TGA would have to be made for the prescription, which generally takes around two working days for approval.
For privacy reasons, the TGA does not publish a list of Authorised Prescribers who have approval to supply medicinal cannabis products.
Psychedelics for mental health
Further progress was made in March, when Australia became the first country to recognise psychedelics as medicine, after the TGA approved psychedelic substances used in magic mushrooms and MDMA.
From July 1 this year, medicines containing the psychedelic substances psilocybin and MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine) can be prescribed by authorised psychiatrists in Australia for treating certain mental health conditions.
Under the new guidance, the TGA says it will permit the prescribing of MDMA for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and psilocybin for the treatment-resistant depression.
Since that announcement, dozens of clinics with both online and physical locations have sprouted, offering psychedelic-based psychotherapy sessions.
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LITTLE GREEN PHARMA (ASX:LGP)
Cannabis stock Little Green Pharma has been reappointed as a primary supplier of its 1:20 THC:CBD medicinal cannabis oil to the extended French national medicinal cannabis trial.
The announcement has reaffirmed LGP’s commitment to France, one of the largest EU markets critical to LGP’s EU strategy – giving LGP a first-mover advantage in the country.
To date, LGP has supplied its 1:20 THC:CBD and CBD50 oils to patients in the trial, becoming a well-recognised supplier in the French market in the process.
Following the trial’s initial success, the French government has proposed to extend the trial for a third year, until March 2024.
EPSILON HEALTHCARE (ASX:EPN)
Epsilon surged after announcing that the Medicinal Cannabis Permit issued to its subsidiary, THC Pharma, had been successfully renewed.
In addition, the Australian Office of Drug Control has granted the company increased manufacturing quantities to meet the growing demand.
Epsilon says it has seen a ramp-up in activities, which reflects the changing needs of the industry and client demand.
The company owns a number of medicinal cannabis assets including the largest GMP cannabis manufacturing facility in the Southern Hemisphere (the Southport, Queensland facility).
CRESO PHARMA (ASX:CPH)
Creso has continued to advance its footprint across the Asia Pacific region after expanding its product ranging agreement with leading Singaporean pet care distributor, Gotro Global.
The expansion deal will see Creso’s entire Green Goo animal care range stocked online through Gotro’s partner company, Happy Town Pets, a specialist e-commerce platform.
Happy Town Pets has an established client base, and is a significant distribution channel for pet care products in Singapore.
This agreement is expected to increase Creso Pharma’s presence in the growing Singaporean pet care industry, and provide additional exposure for the Green Goo brand outside of the US.
This content first appeared on stockhead.com.au
At Stockhead we tell it like it is. While Creso Pharma is a Stockhead advertiser, it did not sponsor this article.
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