<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Two prominent medical bodies have warned of significant dangers over the "poorly regulated" medicinal cannabis industry in a letter to Health Minister Mark Butler.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Australian Medical Association (AMA) and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia believe the prescription of the drug is being exploited and could have a particularly adverse effect on vulnerable individuals.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The letter expresses concerns over "coercive practices" from cannabis companies and believes the rapid expansion of the medicinal cannabis companies has exposed serious gaps in current regulations.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/israel-gaza-update-donald-trump-addresses-israeli-knesset-calls-for-benjamin-netanyahu-pardon/3c63614b-9899-4340-bf0f-29b4a6f43dad" target="_blank"><strong><span>Joy, relief and jubilation as Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners and detainees given freedom</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We are seeing a system that is being exploited — with prescriptions issued without proper clinical oversight and patients bypassing their regular GP and pharmacist," Professor Trent Twomey from the Pharmacy Guild of Australia said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"What began as a special pathway for medication has now become the norm with thousands of products prescribed without safety, quality or efficacy controls."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In a submission to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), both bodies recommended an immediate suspension of cannabis products containing THC concentrations over 98 per cent, and have also requested a meeting with Butler to discuss several issues and recommendations they have.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/health/australia-medicinal-cannabis-mark-butler-health/696f1a8d-01fa-4b20-8ded-8b645bda2bbc" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>These include cannabis being prescribed for conditions where there is little proof of the drug being an effective treatment, including depression.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/australia-weather-update-south-eastern-temperatures-vary-wildly/8390caa8-e0e2-447f-ac56-00d77c6f10cf" target="_blank"><strong><span>Whip-sawing temperatures to see millions bake while others freeze</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We recognise medicinal cannabis can be useful for some patients with specific conditions supported by evidence, such as epilepsy, chemotherapy-induced nausea, or muscle spasticity in multiple sclerosis," Dr Danielle McMullen from the AMA said. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"However, there is little or no evidence base for many of the conditions for which it is being prescribed, such as anxiety, insomnia or depression."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>She said doctors around the country are becoming concerned at the adverse impact this is having on some users.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We are seeing the use of medicinal cannabis for conditions where it is contraindicated or where its use should be under strict and/or ongoing supervision, and our members are increasingly reporting serious adverse outcomes for patients," she said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The AMA is calling for stronger regulation from the federal government and other health agencies, including in the prescription and dispensing of the drug, and reforms to halt the proliferation of unapproved medicinal cannabis products in Australia.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Butler's office has been contacted for comment.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div 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