Internal medicine journal
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Cannabis has been used as a medicine for millennia. Prohibition in the mid-20th century precluded early scientific investigation. 'Cannabis' describes three separate forms - herbal cannabis, 'hemp' products, pharmaceutical-grade regulated cannabinoid-based medical products (CBMP). In Australia, CBMP became available for prescription in November 2016. ⋯ CBMP are well tolerated with few serious adverse events. Additional clinical benefits are promising in many other resistant chronic conditions. Pharmaceutical grade prescribed CBMP has proven clinical benefits and provides another clinical option in the physician's pharmacopeia.
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Over recent years, Australians have been subject to an unprecedented number of environmental events materially and visibly affecting air quality, including thunderstorm asthma and bushfire smoke. There is increasing evidence that poor air quality adversely affects health with consequences for mortality and morbidity with measured particulates (PM2.5) in January 2019 frequently exceeding World Health Organization standards. ⋯ Given these events, consideration needs to be given to environmental health literacy which will support individuals with pre-existing illness to recognise and mitigate as far as possible the effects of adverse air quality. Recognising the impact of poor air quality should also urge physicians to advocate for clean air as a necessity for good health.