This fact sheet outlines the Faculty of Pain Medicine’s position on prescribing medicinal cannabis for people with chronic non-cancer pain in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. While medicinal cannabis products are becoming more available for prescription, current evidence does not support their general use for chronic pain. The resource is designed to help consumers have informed conversations with their treating physicians and to guide health professionals on evidence, risks, and clinical trial considerations.
This year, the Faculty of Pain Medicine has started the process of reviewing PS10(PM) "Medicinal Cannabis" and chronic non-cancer pain. In 2022 the Faculty published a Community Information fact sheet on the topic.
New guidance from the The Medical Board of Australia (MBA)
The Medical Board of Australia (MBA) has published new guidance for medical practitioners to clarify how to meet their professional obligations when prescribing medicinal cannabis.
The updates were announced via a media release on the MBA website on 9 July 2025, which highlighted that poor medicinal cannabis prescribing practices and surging patient demand is leading to significant patient harm.
The guidance translates information from practitioners’ codes of conduct and other related guidelines to support best practice; highlights important considerations when prescribing medicinal cannabis; and calls out examples of poor practice in this space.
Resources
Please note: This information is a guide and should not replace information supplied by your anaesthetist. If you have any questions about your anaesthesia, please speak with your treating specialist. ANZCA acknowledges the contribution of the Society for Paediatric Anaesthesia in New Zealand and Australia (SPANZA).