The numbers tell a remarkable story. In 2024 alone, Australia's medicines regulator approved at least 979,000 prescription applications for medicinal cannabis—a staggering increase that's got both medical professionals and regulators sounding the alarm.
What began as a carefully controlled pathway for patients with severe, treatment-resistant conditions has transformed into something quite different.
Hospital emergency departments are reporting increased admissions for cannabis-induced psychosis and cognitive impairment, while doctors warn that the system designed for exceptional cases has become the new normal.
For Australians over 60 considering medicinal cannabis, understanding this evolving landscape has never been more important.
The perfect storm brewing in medicinal cannabis
The Australian Medical Association and Pharmacy Guild aren't mincing words. They've written directly to Health Minister Mark Butler, calling for urgent action to tackle what they see as an explosion in unregulated prescribing and dispensing.
These 'specialised access' mechanisms were originally designed for occasional, case-by-case use of unapproved drugs. When it was first legalised, medicinal cannabis was intended for patients with complex needs and severe, treatment-resistant conditions. The TGA clearly indicated medicinal cannabis should not be considered a first-line treatment for any condition.
Yet hospital workers are seeing something quite different. Emergency departments report increased demand for resources related to high-THC medicinal cannabis products, with patients presenting with cannabis-induced psychosis, dependence, and cognitive impairment. There's also been a rise in cannabis hyperemesis syndrome—a condition causing recurring nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain from long-term cannabis use.
'What began as a special pathway for medication has now become the norm with thousands of products prescribed without safety, quality or efficacy controls'
Perhaps most concerning for medical professionals is seeing medicinal cannabis prescribed to people with pre-existing psychotic conditions, or for conditions where evidence is limited or absent.
When medicinal cannabis makes sense—and when it doesn't
There is modest evidence for use of medicinal cannabis to manage muscle spasticity in people with multiple sclerosis. There is also modest evidence for the use of medicinal cannabis to relieve nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy. However, medicinal cannabis should only be prescribed for cancer-induced nausea and vomiting if other options have failed.
The evidence base becomes shakier for many other conditions. Chronic pain—the most common reason medicinal cannabis is prescribed in Australia—offers a key example. According to a recent TGA review, some randomised trials suggest medicinal cannabis may help a subset of patients achieve moderate reductions in pain.
But AMA President Danielle McMullen points out that medicinal cannabis is being used for conditions 'where there is little, or no evidence base for many of the conditions for which it is being prescribed, such as anxiety, insomnia or depression.'
Evidence-based uses for medicinal cannabis
Certain types of childhood epilepsy
Nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy (when other treatments fail)
Muscle spasticity in Multiple Sclerosis
Some forms of chronic pain (limited evidence)
Conditions with little or no evidence
Anxiety disorders
Depression
General insomnia
Most mental health conditions
Red flags: How to spot problematic prescribing
The proliferation of telehealth medicinal cannabis clinics has medical professionals particularly worried. The TGA has noted concerns about 'the growing number of 'product-specific' telehealth and digital services prescribing unapproved medicinal cannabis, or other medicines, through vertically integrated direct-to-consumer business models'.
Pharmacy Guild President Professor Trent Twomey warns the system is being exploited, with 'prescriptions issued without proper clinical oversight and patients bypassing their regular GP and pharmacist.'
For seniors considering medicinal cannabis, here are warning signs of potentially problematic providers:
- Clinics that guarantee prescriptions or suggest everyone qualifies
- Services that don't require detailed medical history or current medications
- Providers who don't discuss potential side effects or drug interactions
- Clinics that seem more focused on selling products than patient care
- Anyone who suggests stopping other medications without consulting your regular GP
Safety first: What seniors need to know
Medicinal cannabis affects a person's ability to operate machinery, so it is recommended that people using medicinal cannabis do not drive. Patients are advised to discuss driving while under treatment with medicinal cannabis with their doctor.
Source: ABC News In-depth / Youtube.
This driving restriction is particularly important for older Australians who may rely on their licence for independence. The effects can linger longer than expected, and there's currently no roadside test equivalent to breath testing for alcohol.
Other considerations for seniors include:
- Potential interactions with common medications like blood thinners
- Increased risk of falls due to dizziness or cognitive changes
- Need for 'start low, go slow' dosing approach
- Regular monitoring by healthcare professionals
Did you know?
Did you know? The TGA has taken enforcement action worth over $600,000 against businesses illegally advertising medicinal cannabis, including major media companies and telehealth services. This suggests the advertising landscape is full of non-compliant operators.
The legitimate pathway: How to access medicinal cannabis safely
Any registered medical doctor in Australia can prescribe medicinal cannabis, if the doctor makes an evidence-based judgement that this is the appropriate treatment for their patient.
The safest approach is usually to start with your regular GP, who knows your medical history and current medications. They can refer you to a specialist if needed, or apply for access through the Special Access Scheme if they believe medicinal cannabis is appropriate.
From 1 July 2024, the TGA only accepts submissions via the SAS/AP Online System, streamlining the process for legitimate prescribers.
If your regular GP isn't comfortable prescribing medicinal cannabis, they can refer you to specialists who have experience in this area. This is preferable to bypassing your usual healthcare team entirely.
What's coming next: The regulatory response
The TGA launched a consultation on 11 August 2025, prompted by 'increasing public and professional concern about the safety risks associated with unapproved medicinal cannabis products, particularly those containing higher levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).' The TGA seeks to understand whether current regulatory arrangements provide adequate oversight for the more than 1000 unapproved products currently supplied in Australia.
This consultation could lead to significant changes in how medicinal cannabis is regulated and accessed. The TGA is particularly focused on high-THC products and the proliferation of telehealth services.
Protecting yourself in the current environment
- Stick with established healthcare providers who know your medical history
- Be wary of clinics that guarantee prescriptions or seem sales-focused
- Understand that evidence is limited for many conditions being treated
- Don't stop existing medications without consulting your regular doctor
- Be aware of driving restrictions and potential side effects
- Ask about costs upfront—medicinal cannabis isn't covered by PBS
The medicinal cannabis landscape is clearly in transition. While there are legitimate uses for certain conditions, the current system appears to be straining under the weight of massive demand and commercial interests.
More than 5,500 Australian doctors have prescribed the medicine and more than one million scripts have been approved via the TGA pathways, suggesting the medical community is engaging with this treatment option, even as professional bodies call for tighter controls.
For seniors considering this option, the key is working with trusted healthcare providers who can make evidence-based decisions about whether medicinal cannabis is right for your specific situation.
What's your experience been with discussions about medicinal cannabis—either with your doctor or family members? Have you noticed the advertising and marketing push around these products?
Primary Source
https://au.news.yahoo.com/medicinal-cannabis-scripts-going-unchecked-130220121.html
Confusing for doctors, inequitable for patients: why Australia’s medicinal cannabis system needs urgent reform | InSight+
Cited text: In 2024 alone, Australia’s medicines regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), authorised at least 979,000 prescription applications for ...
Excerpt: Australia's medicines regulator approved at least 979,000 prescription applications for medicinal cannabis
https://insightplus.mja.com.au/2025...edicinal-cannabis-system-needs-urgent-reform/
Confusing for doctors, inequitable for patients: why Australia’s medicinal cannabis system needs urgent reform | InSight+
Cited text: These “specialised access” mechanisms were originally designed for occasional, case-by-case use of unapproved drugs.When it was first legalised, medic...
Excerpt: These 'specialised access' mechanisms were originally designed for occasional, case-by-case use of unapproved drugs.
https://insightplus.mja.com.au/2025...edicinal-cannabis-system-needs-urgent-reform/
Introduction to medicinal cannabis regulation in Australia | Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
Cited text: There is modest evidence for use of medicinal cannabis to manage muscle spasticity in people with multiple sclerosis. There is also modest evidence fo...
Excerpt: There is modest evidence for use of medicinal cannabis to manage muscle spasticity in people with multiple sclerosis.
https://www.tga.gov.au/news/blog/introduction-medicinal-cannabis-regulation-australia
Confusing for doctors, inequitable for patients: why Australia’s medicinal cannabis system needs urgent reform | InSight+
Cited text: Chronic pain—the most common reason medicinal cannabis is prescribed in Australia—offers a key example. According to a recent TGA review, some ran...
Excerpt: Chronic pain—the most common reason medicinal cannabis is prescribed in Australia—offers a key example.
https://insightplus.mja.com.au/2025...edicinal-cannabis-system-needs-urgent-reform/
Planned consultation to address growing safety concerns of unapproved medicinal cannabis products in Australia | Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
Cited text: the safety risks associated with unapproved medicinal cannabis products, particularly those products containing THC, noting there are large numbers of...
Excerpt: The TGA has noted concerns about 'the growing number of 'product-specific' telehealth and digital services prescribing unapproved medicinal cannabis, or other medicines, through vertically integrated direct-to-consumer business models'
https://www.tga.gov.au/news/news/pl...pproved-medicinal-cannabis-products-australia
Introduction to medicinal cannabis regulation in Australia | Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
Cited text: This affects a person's ability to operate machinery, so it is recommended that people using medicinal cannabis do not drive. Patients are advise...
Excerpt: Medicinal cannabis affects a person's ability to operate machinery, so it is recommended that people using medicinal cannabis do not drive.
https://www.tga.gov.au/news/blog/introduction-medicinal-cannabis-regulation-australia
Introduction to medicinal cannabis regulation in Australia | Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
Cited text: Like other prescription medicines, medicinal cannabis is available to a patient on the written authorisation of a registered medical professional. Any...
Excerpt: Any registered medical doctor in Australia can prescribe medicinal cannabis, if the doctor makes an evidence-based judgement that this is the appropriate treatment for their patient
https://www.tga.gov.au/news/blog/introduction-medicinal-cannabis-regulation-australia
Medicinal cannabis hub | Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
Cited text: From 1 July 2024 we will only accept submissions via the SAS/AP Online System.
Excerpt: From 1 July 2024, the TGA only accepts submissions via the SAS/AP Online System
https://www.tga.gov.au/products/unapproved-therapeutic-goods/medicinal-cannabis-hub
Planned consultation to address growing safety concerns of unapproved medicinal cannabis products in Australia | Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
Cited text: This consultation, which will commence on 11 August 2025, has been prompted by increasing public and professional concern about the safety risks assoc...
Excerpt: The TGA launched a consultation on 11 August 2025, prompted by 'increasing public and professional concern about the safety risks associated with unapproved medicinal cannabis products, particularly those containing higher levels of…
https://www.tga.gov.au/news/news/pl...pproved-medicinal-cannabis-products-australia
Defending the role of cannabis as a public and community good: the call to action in 2025 | Cannabiz
Cited text: Notwithstanding this, more than 5,500 Australian doctors have prescribed the medicine and more than one million scripts have been approved via the TGA...
Excerpt: More than 5,500 Australian doctors have prescribed the medicine and more than one million scripts have been approved via the TGA pathways
https://www.cannabiz.com.au/defendi...nd-community-good-the-call-to-action-in-2025/
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