Australian Medical Cannabis Users Describe Easy Access But High Costs

Medicinal cannabis users reported diverse motivations including managing treatment-resistant conditions and avoiding legal consequences of illicit use. Access was described as straightforward through telehealth and dispensaries. Key barriers were financial (high cost) and product frustration (receiving oil prescriptions when flower was preferred). Dual medical-recreational use was common.

Brief semi-structured interviews with 15 adults self-reporting medicinal cannabis use in the past 12 months, recruited at two cannabis events in Queensland and New South Wales. Thematic analysis using Braun and Clarke's six-step framework identified two themes: diverse drivers and access journeys.

As more countries develop medical cannabis programs, Australia's experience offers lessons. Easy telehealth access is a success, but the cost barrier and dual-use patterns raise questions about who benefits and how programs should be designed.

The finding that some users transitioned from recreational to medical partly for legal protection, combined with widespread dual use, challenges the clean separation between 'medical' and 'recreational' cannabis. This has implications for how medical cannabis programs are regulated and evaluated.

Very small sample (15 participants). Recruited at cannabis events (not representative). Brief interviews limited depth. Single country context. Self-selected participants likely more engaged with cannabis culture.