Ep33: Early Days for Cannabis Therapy

Cannabis is a plant rich with potential therapeutic compounds and centuries of cultural resonance. However, only a few of the claimed medical effects of the plant have been proven by rigorous clinical trials in people. These include spasticity and pain in multiple sclerosis, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and some cases of epilepsy. But for many other conditions, systematic reviews have concluded that meaningful clinical recommendations cannot be made. In this episode, we explain how important it is to separate the effect of various cannabinoids in a systematic way, and why well-regulated research and prescribing will be safer for patients.

Guests: A/Prof Peter Grimison FRACP (Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, University of Sydney), Prof Meera Agar FRACP (UTS, USNW, IMPACCT), A/Prof Carolyn Arnold FRACP (Monash University, Alfred Health), Prof Samuel Berkovic AC FRACP (Epilepsy Research Centre, University of Melbourne), Prof Jennifer Martin FRACP (Australian Centre for Cannabinoid Research Excellence, University of Newcastle, John Hunter Hospital).

Links to additional resources can be found on the RACP website.