Over 50,000 under-25s prescribed medicinal cannabis; experts fear brain risks
Australia has given out more than 50,000 medicinal cannabis approvals to people under 25 since 2016. The rate surged from 2021.
More than 50,000 young Australians aged 25 and under got medicinal cannabis approvals between 2016 and 2024. Prescriptions rose sharply from 2021.
About 10 per cent went to children under 15. Anxiety and chronic pain are the top reasons.
They account for 43 per cent and 28 per cent of approvals. Children under 15 mostly get cannabidiol oils.
Older teens and young adults more often get products with higher THC levels. These are usually inhaled.
General practitioners are the main prescribers. University of Melbourne researchers warn that THC is psychoactive.
It can affect personality and motivation. The compound works with the endocannabinoid system during critical brain development.
Experts worry about a prescribing model where the prescriber works for the supplier. This creates a conflict of interest.
That is unusual in medicine.
- More than 50,000 between 2016 and 2024
- Approvals under 25
- 10 per cent of total approvals
- Children under 15
- 43 per cent of approvals
- Top reason: anxiety
- 28 per cent of approvals
- Second reason: chronic pain
Why it mattersYoung people's developing brains may be at risk from these prescriptions. They interact with critical growth periods. Yet oversight and conflict of interest concerns still exist.
AustraliaAustralian children and teens are receiving medicinal cannabis at rising rates; health experts worry the prescribing model lacks safeguards and that THC risks are under-assessed.
Corroborated bythenightly.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 3 h ago
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