Doctors say prescribing medicinal cannabis is almost impossible because of red tape.

Some practitioners are concerned patients could die before their prescription is even approved.

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant tells Deborah Knight they “could have done better in the beginning” for struggling patients.

“Initially the panels set up by NSW Health took a little bit of time to get into their stride… and took longer than needed to be in processing applications.”

Dr Chant says there’s still “a lot to learn” about the drug.

“There is a role for medicinal cannabis. It’s important that we know how to use it.”

NSW Health claims there have been 64 applications to use medical cannabis since it was legalised about a year ago. but it’s estimated around 100,000 people are sourcing it illegally.

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