Welcome to the first of a new segment I am trying out every now and then. I review the theory and science behind controversial topics and rate it - confirmed, busted or plausible.

I have had a lot of requests to cover medicinal cannabis, so here it is. There is some really interesting science here, but it is still early days. In this episode we cover:

What is medicinal cannabis?

How does it work?

What conditions can it be used in and what is the level of evidence?

What are the side effects?

What forms does it come in?

What is the cost to the patient?

How do you apply for it?

What don't we know about it?

If you don't agree with me for what ever reason - don't be a hater! Just let me know - peacefully!

References

1. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, Medicine, The Health effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids, 2017
2. QLD Health, Clinical guidelines; for the use of medicinal products in QLD, 2017, https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0023/634163/med-cannabis-clinical-guide.pdf
3. Sachs et al, Safety and Toxicology of cannabinoids, 2015, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4604177/
4. Whiting et al, Cannabinoids for Medical Use: a systematic review and meta-analysis, 2015, JAMA, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26103030
5. Borgelt et al, The pharmacological and clinical effects of medical cannabis, 2013, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23386598
6. Grotenhermen et al, The therapeutic potential of cannabis and cannabinoids, 2012, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23008748