Despite 8 years of legal medicinal cannabis in Australia, 28% of epilepsy patients used only illicit products and 17% used both, with cost and THC driving restrictions as major barriers.
epilepsy clinicians, cannabis regulators, health policy researchers, epilepsy patients in Australia
What the researchers found
Among 102 people with epilepsy, 27.5% used only illicit cannabis, 27.5% had transitioned to prescribed products, and 16.7% used both. Most caregivers (70.8%) used prescribed products only. 67% reported cannabis improved or greatly improved their epilepsy. Cost (69%) was the primary barrier. Most used cannabis as an adjunct to conventional anti-seizure medications (77%).
Why it matters
Eight years after legalizing medicinal cannabis, many Australian epilepsy patients still rely on illicit sources. Cost and THC-related driving laws appear to be significant barriers to legal access, creating a dual system with safety implications.
The numbers in context
126 respondents (102 PWE, 24 caregivers). 27.5% illicit only. 27.5% transitioned to prescribed. 16.7% both. 70.8% of caregivers used prescribed only. 67% reported improvement. 77% used as adjunct. 69% cited cost as barrier. THC driving restrictions a major concern.
How the study worked
Cross-sectional survey of 126 Australian respondents (102 people with epilepsy, 24 caregivers) examining medicinal cannabis use patterns, attitudes, access barriers, and routes of administration.
What this study cannot tell us
Small, self-selected sample. No clinical verification of epilepsy type or seizure outcomes. Survey distributed through epilepsy and cannabis organizations, likely overrepresenting engaged users. Cross-sectional design.
How to read the evidence
Survey provides meaningful data on access barriers but small, self-selected sample limits generalizability. Evidence is moderate.
When this study was published
Survey conducted 2023-2024 in Australia.
The bigger picture
Australia's experience highlights that legalizing medicinal cannabis does not automatically solve access problems. The prevalence of illicit use alongside legal options suggests regulatory and financial barriers can undermine the intended benefits of legalization.
Questions still open
- Would subsidizing medicinal cannabis reduce illicit use among epilepsy patients?
- Do THC-containing products provide different seizure control than CBD-only products?
Common questions
Why do epilepsy patients use illegal cannabis when legal options exist?
Does cannabis actually help with epilepsy?
Read the original research
Use of Medicinal Cannabis for Epilepsy in the Australian Community 2023-2024: A Cross-Sectional Survey.
Journal of epilepsy research, 15(1), 56-69
Citation
Skene, Douglas A D; McGregor, Iain S; Todd, Lisa; Suraev, Anastasia. (2025). Use of Medicinal Cannabis for Epilepsy in the Australian Community 2023-2024: A Cross-Sectional Survey.. Journal of epilepsy research, 15(1), 56-69. https://doi.org/10.14581/jer.25006
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