NT tops the Google search charts for cannabis

TERRITORIANS want to get legal prescriptions for medicinal cannabis — and our Google search history proves it

Cannabis plants grow in an indoor planting area of the Medicinal Cannabis Research Institute at Rangsit University. (PHOTO BY LAUREN DECICCA/GETTY IMAGES)

TERRITORIANS want to get legal prescriptions for medicinal cannabis — and our Google search history proves it.

Medicinal cannabis company Althea analysed Australia’s Google search data, going back since records began. It found people in the NT had the highest volume of online searches about how they could access medicinal cannabis legally per head of population.

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The data also showed a spike in search traffic about cannabis legislation from people in the NT, up 40 index points to 70.

Althea chief executive Joshua Fegan said a general lack of awareness about medicinal cannabis meant people were searching online for answers.

Minister for Health Natasha Fyles said there was no red tape. Picture: Keri Megelus

Mr Fegan said hundreds of thousands of Australians — including Territorians — could be eligible patients for medicinal cannabis and didn’t realise.

“In the past, a lack of awareness coupled with the lengthy application processes for prescribers, has made it difficult for eligible patients to access medicinal cannabis,” he said.

“We don’t want people who could benefit from medicinal cannabis to be inconvenienced through a lack of knowledge.”

“It doesn’t have to be a grey area and we envisage a world where patients can talk confidently with their existing doctors about medicinal cannabis.

“We’re focusing our efforts on educating mainstream doctors such as GPs, to truly open up access to medicinal cannabis for everyday Australians.”

Heath Minister Natasha Fyles said the Health Department had provided extensive information to inform GPs about prescribing medicinal cannabis.

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Earlier this month, the NT News revealed nobody in the Territory had been prescribed medicinal cannabis or filled a prescription for the drug in the NT.

Independent MLA Jeff Collins said red tape and high prices were stopping people from getting the drug.

It’s a claim Ms Fyles adamantly denied. “We don’t have any barriers or red tape for doctors prescribing medicinal cannabis in the NT,” she said.