21 December 2023
PRESS RELEASE
91% of Medical Cannabis Patients Report Increased Anxiety Around Driving
Montu, the largest medical cannabis company in the world outside North America, has revealed 91% of patients report increased anxiety around driving in a recent patient survey.
The survey of more than 6,000 patients showed heightened levels of anxiety around driving, which many report increases during the holiday season, due to the unfair drug driving laws that persist in almost all Australian states and territories.
Rhys Staley, spokesperson for Montu, highlighted the gravity of these results.
“The festive season is supposed to be a time of joy and celebration, but for the majority of our patients, it brings increased anxiety,” he said.
“These are members of the community who have been prescribed medication that allows them to continue to go about their day-to-day lives- but the constant threat of losing their licence can prevent them from taking their medication and accessing that relief during this busy period.”
For William*, a former paramedic in Queensland, the lead-up to the festive season has been negatively impacted by his state’s drug driving laws.
“I live in a rural town, which means I need to drive everywhere,” he said.
“After a 12-year career as a paramedic, I was prescribed medical cannabis to treat a thoracic spinal injury, as well as my severe PTSD, social anxiety and depression.
“If I don’t take my medication at night, my anxiety and chronic back pain keep me awake, which - after two or three nights - leads to me becoming exhausted. In my opinion, the exhaustion is far more of a risk to my driving than the medication.
“During the festive period, there has been an increased police presence on our local roads, complete with more frequent RDT set-ups, which has essentially put a stop to me being able to assist with Christmas preparations.
“This puts extra pressure on my wife to ‘do it all’, when she does enough for myself and our three kids already.
“The medical cannabis I have been prescribed has given me the ability to face the world and be mentally present with my family - something none of the SSRI or SNRI medication ever accomplished.
“Now, my family and I are considering selling our rural five-acre property and moving to a more urban area, near public transport. I feel caught between a rock and a hard place, wanting to use my medication but often being unable due to the legal ramifications when driving.”
William’s voice is just one from a chorus calling for change across the country. The survey also revealed that 99% of patients would support changes to drug driving laws in Australia to exempt medical cannabis.
“Montu will continue to challenge unfair drug driving laws on behalf of our patients and improve accessibility through our Road to Reform campaign - an e-petition-based approach to our state parliaments that seeks to change the current roading legislation,” Staley said.
“Australians should not have to choose between taking their legally prescribed medication and being able to enjoy the holiday season.”
*Name changed for privacy reasons.