Study Finds Limited Evidence for Medicinal Cannabis in Mental Health
17 Mar 2026
The research is the largest review to date on the safety and effectiveness of cannabinoid-based treatments across mental health conditions.
This comes as the use of medicinal cannabis in Australia has grown rapidly, with more than one million prescriptions approved and sales increasing significantly over the past four years. These treatments often include cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products, commonly prescribed for mental health and substance use conditions.
Danielle McMullen, President of the Australian Medical Association, said the findings highlight the need for stronger regulation and careful prescribing.
“Medicinal cannabis can help in some cases where there is clear evidence, such as epilepsy, chemotherapy-related nausea, or muscle spasticity in multiple sclerosis,” she said.
For many conditions such as anxiety, insomnia, and depression, the supporting evidence remains weak or unclear.
Dr McMullen also raised concerns about inappropriate use, noting that some patients are being prescribed medicinal cannabis in situations where it may not be suitable or requires close medical supervision.
She emphasised that medicinal cannabis should not replace proven, evidence-based treatments, particularly in mental health care.
The AMA supports recent steps by regulators to improve prescribing guidance but continues to call for medicinal cannabis products to be listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). This would ensure they meet the same strict standards for safety, quality, and effectiveness as other medicines.
https://www.ama.com.au/
Source: The Lancet Psychiatry, Australian Medical Association