Cannabis use soars during pandemic

Cannabis is the COVID-19 drug of choice in Australia after alcohol. Self-reported usage rates have soared and medicinal cannabis approvals are at record rates, increasing by almost 40% since telehealth was implemented in April. 

Australians are turning to marijuana during the pandemic for prescribed medication, self-medication, and as an alternative to other substances. 

Did telehealth cause a cannabis boom? 

In July last year the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved 2207 medicinal cannabis applications. By July this year that had shot up to 5564 -- a 60% increase.