I can’t agree here. Just over half of the national demand in...

I can’t agree here. Just over half of the national demand in Australia for psychiatrists is currently being met. And roughly a third of existing psychiatrists are considering leaving the profession within the next 5 years. They have no need to seek out more customers – most are already overwhelmed.

The ANZ psychiatrists have a valid concern, I believe – in addition to cannabis used recreationally, improperly prescribed medicinal cannabis can have harmful effects, especially on psychosis. This is a concern being expressed in other countries as well.

The key issue here is THC. Authorised Prescriber data (2021-22) indicates that 31% of new patients prescribed medicinal cannabis in Australia, were treated used THC products >98% (category 5 products).

The Royal Australia and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) Qld Chair Professor, Brett Emmerson, is so concerned by emerging surges in psychosis cases that he is calling for a ban on products that contain THC, which can lead to psychosis.

The RANZCP is especially concerned about high-dose THC recreational cannabis, high-dose THC medicinal cannabis and smoking of cannabis products. The College’s submission to the NSW Parliament last month stated:

If recreational cannabis contains high levels of THC – which it often does - the risk of psychosis, mood disorders, seizures and other factors is significantly increased. Cannabis products that contain THC have the potential for dependence and associated withdrawal in the same way that users of benzodiazepines and opioids can become dependent….

The use of prescribed high potency delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) containing medicinal cannabis products may cause high risks for people with psychotic predisposition, requiring careful patient selection….

The RANZCP is concerned by the widespread smoking of prescribed medical cannabis products, with the inherent health risks to lung and general health from smoking.

Meanwhile, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is advising GPs that

THC is not appropriate for:

• patients with a previous history of psychosis, or concurrent active mood or anxiety disorder
• expectant mothers, female patients planning a pregnancy or those breastfeeding
• patients with an unstable cardiovascular disease.

Considering that AVE is attempting to develop an orally-delivered, THC-free medicinal cannabis product, supported by rigorous clinical trial evidence, and approved by the TGA, any bans/controls placed on high-THC and smoked medicinal cannabis products can only be seen as potentially beneficial.

https://napp.org.au/2024/05/respons...-fleeing-the-public-system-in-record-numbers/

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-07...is-harm-risk-prescription-marijuana/104116952

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/ment...orders-high-potency-weed-psychosis-rcna146072

https://www.racgp.org.au/advocacy/p...ical-and-practice-management/medical-cannabis