Medical cannabis will be a long-term prospect, and many patients have unrealistic expectations of the drug

Legislation on medicinal cannabis is a good move for the management of health conditions where these products can meet a therapeutic need, says Kos Sclavos.

Under the new arrangements, patients with a valid prescription can possess and use a medicinal cannabis product manufactured from cannabis plants legally cultivated in Australia, where the supply is appropriately authorised under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 and relevant state and territory legislation.

This is after other treatments have been shown that they were not successful.

“It’s the “missing piece” for Australian patients and their doctors to access a safe, legal and reliable supply of medicinal cannabis products for the management heath conditions,” Sclavos says.

“It facilitates a process to allow development of novel cannabinoid-based therapies for the treatment of epilepsy; pain; cancer; neurological conditions (e.g, dementia, Parkinson’s, or, MS), and...