CMAU - Medicinal Cannabis and State Hospital Data

Question

NSW state hospital data (https://www.healthstats.nsw.gov.au/indicator?name=-beh-drug-induced-related-dthandlocation=NSWandview=Trendandmeasure=DSTRateandconfidence=trueandgroups=Drug%20death%20typeandcompare=Drug%20death%20typeandfilter=Drug%20death%20type,Drug-induced,Drug-related,Total) indicates that hospitalisations involving individuals with cannabis in their system have remained stable, while deaths have declined, despite a significant increase in medicinal cannabis prescriptions. It is reasonable to assume that a similar trend would be reflected in other states. This reportable data contrasts with repeated claims from some peak representative bodies that reportable incidents and hospitalisations are rising sharply, assertions that are not supported by the available data. 1. Is the Government and TGA aware of this NSW hospitalisation data? 2. Does the Government and TGA accept that this data directly contradicts claims made by some peak bodies who state reportable cannabis-related incidents and hospitalisations are rising sharply? - Why does the Government and TGA believe there is such a divergence between what state hospital data is telling us, and what some peak bodies are publicly claiming?

Answer

Please see attached answer.

Documents

• Question with answer (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
• DHDA SQ26-002816.pdf (opens in a new tab)