MedTEC Pharma’s Response to the South Australian Joint Committee on the Legalisation of Medicinal Cannabis Page 1 of 8 1.

What is the current cannabis use for males aged 18 to 25?

Cannabis guilty.

Welcome to today's hearing of the Parliament of South Australia's Joint Committee on the Legalisation of Medicinal Cannabis.

While the federal government has legalised medicinal cannabis, there are many state and territory legislative and administrative processes that a GP must work through before prescribing cannabis.

It also listed chronic health effects of cannabis use such as:1 • selective impairment of cognitive functioning, which may be greater with prolonged use • development of a cannabis dependence syndrome and consequent withdrawal • exacerbation of schizophrenia in affected individuals and in those who are predisposed to experiencing psychosis, using THC containing cannabis may put them at an increased risk of cannabis-induced psychosis • an association between cannabis use disorder and schizophrenia among both males and females, but larger among males than females, especially among those aged 16–25.2,3,4 • airway injury, lung inflammation, and impaired pulmonary defence against infection • a higher prevalence of chronic and acute bronchitis • impairment in foetal development when cannabis is used during pregnancy • high level THC containing cannabis use for prolonged periods may result in the development of cannabis hyperemesis syndrome.

Dear Secretary, I am a long term Medical Cannabis user who has recently moved back to SA where I grew up after many years in Tasmania where I ran the MCUAT patient support group.

JOINT COMMITTEE ON THE LEGISLATION OF MEDICINAL CANNABIS PUBLIC HEARING Inquiry into Medicinal Cannabis When: Friday 7 July 2023 from 11 am Where: Constitution Room, Old Parliament House Witnesses Appearing via Teams: Dr Joel Wren, President Society of Cannabis Clinicians Australian Chapter For further information, please contact Ms Alison Meeks (Parliamentary Officer), Ph (08) 8237 9387 or email jclmc@parliament.sa.gov.au The hearing will be Live Streamed and can be accessed via the parliamentary website: https://www.parliament.sa.gov.au/en/About-Parliament/Live-Broadcast#0##0 mailto:jclmc@parliament.sa.gov.au https://www.parliament.sa.gov.au/en/About-Parliament/Live-Broadcast#0

Late last year we published the Cannabis in Australia 2022 Report, which examined Australia's approach to medicinal cannabis, illicit cannabis and hemp in Australia.

I think we have an ongoing problem with stigma associated with medicinal cannabis.