Sales of medicinal cannabis have gone through the roof as authorities continue to bicker over the pros and cons of legalising other forms of the drug.
In the first six months of 2024 there were some 2.87 million containers of medicinal cannabis sold in Australia, according to data provided to the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
That was up from 1.68 million containers during the previous six months, according to a report by not-for-profit drug research agency, the Penington Institute, which is pushing for the nation to consider decriminalisation.
Chief executive John Ryan said community attitudes toward cannabis are diverging from public policy and criminals benefit from the $5 billion illicit market.
"A regulated cannabis regime should replace our criminalised model so adults can legally access quality controlled products rather than facing both arrest and the danger of purchasing untested goods from criminals," he wrote in a report published overnight.
"Australia has created a policy muddle, but we know how to get out; we just need the will to do so."
The ACT is the only Australian jurisdiction where possession of small amounts of cannabis is legal.
A federal Greens' private members bill to legalise cannabis was blocked in the Senate on Wednesday, with opposition senator Michaela Cash citing concerns about harm to physical, cognitive and mental health.
Similar legislation put forward by state and territory crossbenchers have failed however Victoria recently changed driving rules so users with a prescription caught with traces in their system don't automatically lose their licence.
Parkinsons patient 'Mark' has debilitating pain and a prescription for medicinal cannabis but said he couldn't function without access to his own cannabis plant, which is illegal in his home state of Victoria.
"I find the (prescription) cost outrageously expensive," he told AAP.
"I pay $139 for 10 grams, I am on a set income and struggle to even occasionally buy the medical cannabis.
"If I didn’t have access to the plant I’m petrified of being given heavy pharmaceuticals for pain, insomnia and mental health release."
The Australian Medical Association and the Royal Australian College of GPs want further scientific research on cannabis effects, while major political parties are opposed to a significant legal overhaul.
Legalise Cannabis Victoria MP David Ettershank turned to cannabis on top of prescribed medication when he was diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica in 2020 to soothe exhausting pain at night.
He's had a medicinal cannabis prescription for 12 months and says many politicians believe the status quo is "farcical" but don't know what the solution is.
"What is that alternative form of regulation? That's a big issue, I don't think there's any two ways about that," he said.
"At this point in time we are not pursuing the establishment of a commercial market, although I think that that is inevitable."
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