A bill to permit medical cannabis use in Australia is set for debate in Senate. If medical cannabis use is legalised, doctors could become gatekeepers between patients and a controversial drug.

Lessons from Canada – one of the first countries in the world to allow medical cannabis – can help Australian doctors prepare for treating people who want to use cannabis.

The Canadian system

In 2001, the federal Canadian health department set up a medical cannabis access program. The move was a result of court challenges by people who wanted to use cannabis to help manage their medical conditions.

Until recently, people applied individually to the Canadian health department for permission to use cannabis medicinally. Applicants needed a doctor’s declaration saying their medical condition met federal eligibility rules.

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