Trialling Medicinal Cannabis in High Risk Medical Patients!

To say that my first foray into the use of medicinal cannabis on a patient was profound, would be quite the understatement. I trialed 2 high risk patients that I have been caring for for many years on high potency CBD oil and the results blew me away. One patient with relatively severe Parkinson’s Disease, chronic neck and back pain from osteoarthritis, and a profound and perpetual tremor, was able to not use his long term anti-inflammatory for chronic neck and back pain by day 2, and by day 5 was able to draw a circle freehand for the first time in many many years!

The second patient is well into her eighties, suffers from severe Alzheimer’s Disease complicated by severe agitation and is a major flight and falls risk. She required 2 anti-psychotics and a strong benzodiazepine to manage her and keep her safely at home. It required a full family input from her husband and other family members in close proximity. By day 2 of low dose high potency CBD oil her husband was able to omit the midday as-needed anti-psychotic she has required for the last twelve months or so. There has been a steady reduction in the dose and frequency of the patients requirement for psychotropic medications.

These are still very early days in my journey into Medicinal Cannabis and its applications in clinical practice. I am greatly enthused by the incredible response that I have seen with the first 2 complex patients and intend specializing in this field for several reasons. The obvious benefit to patients is fundamental to me as a doctor and the second is that it is not medicare billable. It should be state subsidized in people who demonstrate a clinical benefit and cost reduction in medication or consumption of medical resources. Reducing the flight and fall risk in elderly agitated dementia patients is worth several billion dollars a year in orthopaedic, hospital, nursing and rehabilitation services. Paying for granny to get off the benzo’s and anti-psychotics is money well spent by the government. Prioritizing billions towards defence spending in abandonment of prospective medical planning will cost dearly to all, especially those affected.

I am grateful to Amelia Dickieson from Mana Medical and Capture Care, and her partner Jodie Fergusson-Batte of Capture Care for a smooth introduction into the technicalities and legalities of cannabis prescribing. I hope to continue working with you guys into the future with the M-Powered Medical Monitoring Projects.