Cannabis use is widespread in Australia, with more than a third of Australians over the age of 15 reporting using it in their lifetime. It is the world’s most commonly used illicit drug, and is primarily used to get high or for medicinal purposes. Cannabis is a psychoactive drug that contains more than 70 active compounds called cannabinoids, which affect the central nervous system and change sensory perceptions. The most common cannabinoid is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which causes the euphoric ‘high’ associated with cannabis use.
Cannabis is produced both legally and illegally in Australia. The legal market is regulated, and products must be approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration before being sold to patients. The government collects a 25% excise tax on cannabis sales, which has led to significant profits for the industry. However, the legal market is still not without issues. Recently, the TGA issued 73 infringement notices to medical cannabis companies including Cannatrek for misleading consumers. The TGA alleged the companies promoted prescription-only products, misrepresented their benefits as a treatment for serious illnesses, and implied they were recommended by a government authority.
Recreational cannabis is unregulated in Australia, and it can be hard to know what you’re getting when you buy it without a prescription. There is also a risk that your therapeutic goals will not be met with recreational cannabis, because the active ingredients can vary in concentration and may not even be present at all. Despite these risks, the legal cannabis market is growing quickly and has become competitive with black-market options.
Medicinal cannabis is more tightly controlled than recreational cannabis, and can only be purchased through a healthcare practitioner. It can be prescribed to treat a wide variety of conditions, including chronic pain, nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy, and epilepsy. It is also being researched for other health conditions, and many trials are currently underway.
Although cannabis is illegal in Australia, possession of small amounts has been decriminalized in some states and territories, allowing police to issue warnings instead of arrests. This has helped to reduce the black-market trade and encourage people to purchase from a reputable source. However, it is important to remember that possession is still illegal in most jurisdictions, so you should always follow the laws of your area.
Thursday, August 17, 2023