Medicinal cannabis SAS-B approvals climbed sharply in March, with the Therapeutic Goods Administration clearing 14,791 applications — a 20% increase on February's figures.
Across the first quarter of 2024, total approvals reached 37,684, a 21% rise on the same period the previous year and the highest quarterly figure recorded since legalisation in 2016.
Victoria and Queensland each accounted for 36% of approvals, with New South Wales contributing 24%. High-THC category 5 medicines made up just over half of all approvals at 7,493, with 45% of those — 3,365 applications — attributed to men between the ages of 18 and 44.
The overall gender breakdown held steady at 60:40 in favour of men. Chronic pain, anxiety and sleep disorders remained the leading conditions for which SAS-B approval was sought, with depression, PTSD and ADHD also among the more frequently cited indications.
Oral solutions continued to be the most common delivery format, accounting for 46% of approvals. Flower's share of the market grew from 37% to 39%, while inhalation products accounted for 7% and pastilles for 3%.
The SAS-B applications were submitted by 950 prescribers.
