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SYDNEY, Australia – Patients prescribed medicinal cannabis in Australia reported significant and lasting improvements in their quality of life, including better sleep, reduced fatigue, and relief from pain, anxiety, and depression, sustained over a 12-month period, according to a large study published recently.
The findings, published on April 2, 2025, in the peer-reviewed journal PLOS ONE, come from the QUEST Initiative (QUality of life Evaluation STudy) led by researchers at the University of Sydney. This research builds upon previous short-term data, suggesting that the benefits of medicinal cannabis for certain chronic conditions may be long-lasting.
Since legislative changes in 2016 allowed for the prescription of medicinal cannabis in Australia for patients unresponsive to conventional treatments, over one million prescriptions have been issued for more than 200 different health conditions. The QUEST study aimed to track the long-term outcomes for these patients.
Researchers recruited 2,744 adult patients newly prescribed medicinal cannabis oil between November 2020 and December 2021. Participants completed baseline assessments and follow-up questionnaires measuring health-related quality of life (HRQL) – encompassing physical, emotional, social, and cognitive function – as well as condition-specific symptoms.
The 12-month follow-up data, involving 778 participants who completed the full study duration, showed that initial improvements observed at the three-month mark were generally maintained. Patients across various chronic conditions reported sustained enhancements in overall HRQL, alongside reductions in fatigue, pain levels, and sleep disturbances.
Specifically, individuals diagnosed with anxiety, depression, insomnia, or chronic pain experienced continued symptom relief throughout the year. Those treated for generalized anxiety, chronic pain, insomnia, and PTSD also demonstrated improvements in their overall quality of life scores. Participants with movement disorders showed improved HRQL, although no significant change was noted in upper extremity function scores.
Lead author Margaret-Ann Tait and colleagues noted that while the study provides valuable real-world insights across a diverse patient group, its main limitation is the absence of a control group (participants not receiving medicinal cannabis). This makes it impossible to definitively attribute the observed improvements solely to the cannabis treatment. The declining participation rate over the 12 months was also acknowledged.
Despite these limitations, the researchers suggest the findings indicate that medicinal cannabis prescriptions may lead to rapid and sustained improvements for patients struggling with chronic pain, fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, and depression.
“This is promising news for patients who are not responding to conventional medicines for these conditions,” the authors stated, adding that the results contribute crucial evidence to inform both clinical practice and future policy decisions regarding medicinal cannabis.
The study was supported by funding from Little Green Pharma Ltd. to the University of Sydney, however, the funder had no role in the study’s design, data analysis, interpretation, or publication.
Disclaimer: This news article is based on information provided about a specific observational study published in PLOS ONE. Observational studies can suggest associations but cannot definitively prove cause and effect due to factors like the lack of a control group. Medical decisions regarding treatment should always be made in consultation with a qualified healthcare professional, considering individual circumstances and the full body of available scientific evidence.
