How Gold Coast Cannabis industry took on opioid epidemic

Popping opioids like Tic Tacs is a daily reality some Gold Coasters, but now the medicinal cannabis industry is fighting back. 

POPPING opioids like Tic Tacs was a daily reality for Aaron Ellis while on 13 different types of medication to combat chronic back pain.

Living with his illness for several years, Mr Ellis had reached crisis point — until he found one of the region’s fastest-growing health sectors, medicinal cannabis.

The medicinal cannabis industry has multiple clinics on the Gold Coast since the legalisation of product was passed in 2016.

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Aaron Ellis suffers from chronic back pain and was consuming about 14 opioids per day to manage his suffering.

Gold Coast-based company CDA Health has clinics on the Gold Coast and in New Zealand, as well as an importing and exporting business Burleigh Heads Cannabis and hemp product company Healthy not High.

For Mr Ellis, the ability to access the pain-management alternative has changed his life for the better.

“Every new day was filled with anxiety at the thought of ‘Is this going to be a good pain day or a bad pain day’,” Mr Ellis said.

“It could take hours to get out of bed. First because of the pain, second because the meds had worn off overnight and third because sleep was my lifesaver. When I was asleep I wasn’t fully aware of the pain.

“You get sick of fighting to survive every day, only to know the next day is going to be the same.

“Just trying to cope is exhausting and can really mess with your mental health.”

Mr Ellis was at his lowest until he was prescribed medical cannabis.

“Through medicating with THC and CBD, oils and flower I have almost halved my opioids usage.

“I feel like I can move better, more fluidly and with less pain and I’m able to eat more as I don’t feel so sick all the time.

“I’m more energetic, as I have less pain, more mobility and I’m able to play with my dog.”

CDA clinical director Dr Ben Jansen said while the product had been legal for some time, the strong presence of the CDA clinics on the Gold Coast and word of mouth by patients had helped demystify the treatment.

“We are seeing demand grow particularly in the last six months, people are becoming more aware of health options out there,” Dr Jansen said.

“We do take a lot of credit for not only running local clinics but servicing Australia through tele-health options.

“Queensland now has more prescribed patients than any other state.

“World-wide opioid use is huge, while THC was used widely for the treatment of pain. Because it is now legal we can add it back into the arsenal as a non-toxic medicine for pain as a safer alternative to opioids.”

Cannabis Doctors Australia Clinical Director Dr Ben Jansen, at his Varsity Lakes clinic, dispelled the rumour that cannabis is a cure for COVID-19. Picture: Glenn Hampson

EARLIER: Coronavirus Gold Coast: Doctor rubbishes rumour cannabis is a coronavirus cure

A CONCERNED local doctor has spoken out to squash rumours that cannabis can prevent people from contracting coronavirus, after discovering some locals had taken matters into their own hands.

Dr Ben Jansen, the Director of Cannabis Doctors Australia, said he was concerned people were taking risks when it came to the potentially deadly pandemic.

The Varsity Lakes doctor believes the rumours were started by the black market or by misinformed community members. He stressed there was no scientific proof that cannabis was the answer.

“The myth we’d like to bust is that cannabis slows cytokine storm syndrome,” he said.

“Research has suggested that death from the virus may be attributed to the body overacting the immune response, resulting in excessive inflammation known as a cytokine storm.

“There’s no solid research to suggest cannabis can reduce or slow COVID-19.

“We’re giving our patients the same medical advice that is being provided to the public; practise social distancing.”

Dr Jansen said the majority of patients have a chronic illness and are in the high-risk category for contracting the deadly disease.

“It is important to remember the other diseases haven’t gone away. People are vulnerable and in a lot of pain so it’s vital that we look after our patients.”

Originally published as How Gold Coast Cannabis industry took on opioid epidemic