How Cannabis Is Helping Critical Patients - A Close
Look at Australia

How medicinal cannabis is helping critical patients

For patients facing serious conditions, limited conventional treatment options or unacceptable side-effects from standard therapies, medicinal cannabis offers potential benefit in several areas. Below are some of the key clinical contexts in Australia:

One of the strongest use-cases in Australia is for specific rare neurological disorders. For example, certain CBD-based treatments have been approved for severe childhood epilepsy syndromes. (Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA))

For patients with conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS) who have significant spasticity or pain, there is also interest in cannabis products, although evidence is less robust. Still, for critical patients whose symptoms are refractory, cannabis may offer an additional option.

In palliative care settings, medicinal cannabis is being used to support symptom relief - for example, managing refractory pain, nausea, appetite loss, or other distressing symptoms in terminal illness. Some Australian guidance identifies palliative care as a key area under investigation.

For a patient with a serious life-limiting illness, even modest improvement in comfort, sleep or quality of life can be significant. Reports from patient advocates suggest that medicinal cannabis in these contexts has helped restore sleep, reduce nausea, alleviate pain or simply allow a patient to function a little better. (For example, in one story a patient said: "I''m able to live a full, active life" after initiating medicinal cannabis.)

Chronic non-cancer pain is a major driver of medicinal cannabis prescribing in Australia. Some patients with refractory pain - where standard therapies (opioids, neuropathic pain agents, physical therapy, etc) have not been sufficient - turn to medicinal cannabis in hopes of additional relief. For a patient with a serious life-limiting illness, even modest improvement in comfort, sleep or quality of life can be significant. Reports from patient advocates suggest that medicinal cannabis in these contexts has helped restore sleep, reduce nausea, alleviate pain or simply allow a patient to function a little better. (For example, in one story a patient said: "I'm able to live a full, active life" after initiating medicinal cannabis.)

While the evidence is mixed (see below), anecdotal reports suggest some patients derive meaningful benefits in terms of pain reduction, better sleep and improved quality of life. For critical patients with multiple comorbidities and limited options, this may matter.

What does the evidence say?

It's essential to understand that while the potential for medicinal cannabis is real, the evidence base in Australia is still developing.

• . A 2020 survey found that although medicinal cannabis was legally available, very few users accessed legal prescriptions in early years (only ~2.7 %) - meaning many patients were still using illicit sources. (The University of Sydney)
• . The TGA's guidance emphasises that medicinal cannabis is not recommended as a first-line treatment for most conditions and that there is "limited evidence about effectiveness ... and little known about the most suitable doses" for many conditions. (Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA))
• . For chronic non-cancer pain, one evidence summary notes: "there is a limited body of evidence to support its efficacy and safety in clinical practice."
• . A further review highlighted that although prescriptions are increasing (over 800 different cannabis products available in Australia), only two are registered medicines and for the rest, evidence of sustained benefit remains inconsistent.

In short: for critical patients, medicinal cannabis may offer meaningful relief in selected settings, but its use must be carefully considered, monitored and integrated with other therapies.

Benefits reported by patients

From the available data and patient stories, here are some of the reported benefits for critical patients:

• . Symptom relief: Especially for nausea, vomiting, appetite loss (e.g., in palliative/chemotherapy contexts ), and refractory pain.
• . Improved sleep: Patients sometimes report better sleep quality when pain or other symptoms are reduced.
• . Reduced side-effects: For some patients, conventional treatments cause significant side-effects; cannabis may offer a gentler alternative or complementary option.
• . Quality of life: For patients near end-of-life or with limited treatment options, even incremental improvements matter - e.g., reduced hospital visits, improved mobility, better mood or fewer breakthrough symptoms.

Risks and cautionary issues

Medicinal cannabis is not without risks or complexities - especially in critical patients who may be frail, have multiple comorbidities or be on multiple medications.

• . As noted, for many indications the evidence is thin; doctors must avoid overstating benefits.
• . There are reported adverse events: a recent Australian analysis found hundreds of adverse event reports (615 over three years) including psychosis and suicidal thoughts.
• . Because many products are "unapproved" (i.e., not registered on the ARTG) they may lack robust data on long-term safety, standardized dosing, or interactions.
• . Some patient groups (e.g., those with history of psychosis, heavy cardiovascular risk , or children) may need particular caution.
• . Access and cost: Medicinal cannabis may be expensive, may not be covered by subsidies, and navigating prescriber/regulatory pathways can be difficult

Practical considerations for Australian patients

If a critical-illness patient or their carer in Australia is considering medicinal cannabis, here are some practical points:

• . Consult a specialist or experienced prescriber: The treating medical team (GP + specialist) should review whether medicinal cannabis is appropriate in light of the patient�s overall health, other treatments and goals of care.
• . Start low and go slow: Because of variable dosing, product types (THC vs CBD vs combo), and patient sensitivity, cautious titration is key.
• . Monitor and document: Record symptoms, side-effects, other medications, and quality-of-life outcomes.
• . Beware of illicit products: Only use legally prescribed and dispensed medicinal cannabis via pharmacy; unregulated products may lack standardization and carry greater risk.
• . Align with broader care: In palliative settings, medicinal cannabis is often one component of a broader symptom management plan (pain specialists, palliative care, psychology, physiotherapy, etc).
• . Understand regulatory environment: In Australia the TGA regulates medicinal cannabis; each state/territory has additional rules (dispensing, reimbursement). Patients should understand access pathways, costs and legal implications (e.g., driving with THC in system).

A balanced summary

For critically ill patients in Australia, medicinal cannabis offers real hope: an additional tool in symptom management, potential improvement in quality of life, relief where standard therapies fail or are intolerable. But it is not a magic bullet. The evidence is still emerging, and clinical judgement remains paramount.

When properly prescribed, monitored and integrated with care, medicinal cannabis may meaningfully help. But patients and carers should approach it with eyes open: benefits balanced by risks, cost and regulatory complexities. For some patients - especially those with refractory symptoms or in palliative care - it can make a tangible difference. For others, it may provide incremental benefit or no benefit at all.

In Australia's evolving landscape of medicinal cannabis, the key message is: in selected cases, under proper supervision, it can help - but it's not suitable for every patient or every condition.

Disclaimer

This blog is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Medicinal cannabis is a prescription-only medicine in Australia and may not be suitable for everyone. Any decision about treatment should be made in consultation with a qualified healthcare professional.