Legalisation of Medicinal Cannabis

In recent months there has been a very interesting change in policy direction from the Australian Federal Government concerning medicinal cannabis. Medicinal cannabis has been a highly controversial pharmaceutical option, due to the prominence of cannabis as a drug of recreation. However, ‘medical cannabis’ refers to the use of cannabis and its constituent cannabinoids to treat disease, or more commonly, treat the symptoms of disease. There is limited evidence (limited mostly due to restrictions on clinical testing) suggesting cannabis can be used to reduce nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy, to improve appetite in people with HIV/AIDS, and to treat chronic pain and muscle spasms. Interpreting incomplete clinical data like this is useful practice for GAMSAT Section 3. This is a topic that students frequently cover in GAMSAT Section 2 as well, particularly when practising responses to GAMSAT essay topics. A GAMSAT quote generator can also help you rehearse both sides of debates about regulation, autonomy and public health.

Interestingly, the use of cannabis for medical purposes is not new at all. Cannabis is one of the 50 ‘fundamental’ herbs in traditional Chinese medicine, and it was Emperor Shen-Nung in 2737 BC who wrote a book on treatment methods that included the medical benefits of cannabis (he was also a pharmacist). He recommended the substance for many ailments, including constipation, gout, rheumatism, and absent-mindedness. The Ebers Papyrus (ca. 1550 BC) from Ancient Egypt describes the ancient Egyptians using hemp in suppositories for relieving the pain of haemorrhoids. Whilst the Ancient Greeks used cannabis to dress wounds and sores on their horses; and in humans, dried leaves of cannabis were used to treat nose bleeds, and cannabis seeds were used to expel tapeworms. Finally, in the medieval Islamic world, Arabic physicians made use of the diuretic, antiemetic, antiepileptic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic properties of cannabis, and used it extensively as medication from the 8th to 18th centuries.

Now, in modern Australia, we are seriously looking once again at its use in standard medical therapy. Just this year, Sussan Ley (Federal Health Minister) announced that the Federal Government would legalise the growing of cannabis for medicinal purposes, amending the Narcotic Drugs Act to achieve this. Several states have already announced clinical trials for medicinal cannabis, and are awaiting these formal changes to take place in order to grow the crop. For example, the NSW Government has committed $9 million for clinical trials and up to $12 million to set up a Centre for Medicinal Cannabis Research and Innovation.

It appears that a national regulatory body will be set up to create a system that will license people to grow cannabis for medical uses, manufacture medicinal cannabis products and supply regulated medicinal products to authorised patients. Many non-governmental organisations, patient advocacy groups, as well as the Federal Opposition and the Greens have supported the move, and remain cautiously optimistic at the implementation of this treatment by the government. The medical profession has also been supportive, though it has also warned against the risks associated  with the drug and has advised that the use of cannabis should be decided by the patient, following medical advice about the condition from which they seek relief, with patients being registered under state legislation. Those same tensions between evidence, regulation and patient choice often appear as MMI interview stations, so it is worth practising how you would discuss them as a future clinician.

In summary, if you’re aiming for graduate entry medicine in Australia and knocking on the door of Australian medical schools in the next few years, you will very likely be able to prescribe and be involved in the provision of medical cannabis in the future! Anyone mapping out how to become a doctor in Australia should keep an eye on policy shifts like this, because they will shape the care you eventually provide. This has been an area that has required progress in the face of pressure from patient advocacy groups, and will hopefully assist many sufferers of chronic disease – a very exciting development!

Thanks for reading! - Elliot

Check out our GAMSAT To Med School Podcast for more interesting information as well as tips & tricks about the GAMSAT, applying to medical school, and life at med school. You can also explore our free GAMSAT preparation materials for structured study support. If you are still building a plan, start with a clear GAMSAT preparation strategy so topics like health policy sit inside a broader study routine.