Nearly Half of Australian Epilepsy Patients Using Cannabis Access It Illegally Despite Legal Options

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%).

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.

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.

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.

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.