Dr. Walker asks about the potential of CBD-dominant cannabis strains in treating anxiety, referencing a new study. The Minister acknowledges the study and outlines the government's mental health investment and monitoring of cannabis research.

AnsweredQoN 668Legislative Council
Asked
11 June 2024
Portfolio
Mental Health

QuestionView source ↗

MENTAL HEALTH — ANXIETY
668. Hon Dr BRIAN WALKER to the minister representing the
Minister for Mental Health:
I refer the minister to statistics
from Beyond Blue that suggest anxiety is the most common mental health
condition facing Australians, with one in four people affected—some
three million Australians in total.
(1) Is the minister aware of a new study from the
University of Colorado Boulder published in the Cannabis and
Cannabinoid Research journal that concludes that far from causing an
increase in anxiety, CBD-dominant strains of cannabis can bring about an acute
easing of the symptoms?
(2) What is the Cook government doing to combat
anxiety as a mental health condition here in Western Australia?
(3) Will the
minister take this latest research on board and consider the significant role
that cannabis can potentially play in the treatment of anxiety going forward?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. The following has been provided by the Minister
for Mental Health.
(1) Yes.
(2) The state
government is continuing to increase its investment in mental health
prevention, community support and treatment services, with $1.3 billion
committed for the 2024–25 financial year, an increase of $80 million
from the previous year.
(3) The state
government continuously monitors national and international research and data
related to the impacts of cannabis use.

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