PEOPLE at the end of their lives should have access to cannabis to manage pain and improve quality of life, an inquiry has heard.
The drug could also be used to treat people with chronic pain so long as it was carefully managed using dose control and regular assessment, said Professor Michael Cousins, director of the Pain Management Research Institute at the Royal North Shore Hospital.
However, he told the NSW parliamentary committee more research was needed into the long-term side effects of cannabinoids.
Asked if there was enough evidence to support giving the treatment to terminally ill people, such as those with late stage cancer or AIDS, Prof Cousins replied, "Absolutely ... we should be doing something now.
"In view of the lack of options we currently have I think it's very important that we take advantage of this option."
The committee is investigating the feasibility and safety of using cannabis as a medicine, and the legal implications of supplying cannabis to patients.
Addressing the inquiry on Monday, Saxon Smith from the Australian Medical Association said there was growing evidence certain cannabinoids were effective treating chronic pain and could help people with multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease.
"However, the results of long term medical use are not understood at this point in time," he said, adding the drug could lead to psychosis and depression.
"That is is something that we feel needs to be a watching brief at this time."
Dr Saxon said the AMA backed the use of synthetic cannabinoids rather than smoking cannabis.
Professor Jan Copeland, director of the National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre, said there had been a spike in cannabis use in countries where it had been legalised.
She also warned it was "a drug of addiction" and research supporting its medical use was "moderate at best".
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