Approximately eight percent of Australians are current or occasional medicinal cannabis users, according to a new survey that points to growing acceptance of the treatment across the country.
The poll of 1,000 Australians uncovered shifting attitudes toward the drug, with 38% reporting they know someone who uses medicinal cannabis — a figure that climbs to 52% among Gen Z respondents.
The Medigrowth-commissioned study, carried out by independent consumer insights firm Antenna, also found that 22% of participants either considered obtaining or actually obtained a cannabis prescription over the past year. Additionally, four in 10 respondents said they would have no problem disclosing their medicinal cannabis use to their employer.
Medigrowth chief executive Adam Guskich said the findings offer further evidence that Australians have "open, transparent and honest conversations about their health and what proven medical alternatives can do for people".
"Since the pandemic, the conversation has changed on an individual, community and government level, and we now have data to back that up," he said. "Prescriptions are up, the number of GPs prescribing medical cannabis continues to climb, and there are more and more pathways to prescriptions for patients of all walks of life."
Despite the progress, Guskich said a "large misconception" persists among politicians who continue to hold outdated views on cannabis.
"While countries and territories around the world continue to advance their offering and research, [demand] for medical cannabis is being driven by the people who need it most: the patients," he said.
"Hopefully, state and federal government will continue to look at medical cannabis as an opportunity for Australians, rather than hold onto old ideas of it being a dangerous or addictive substance."
