Recently, renowned medical cannabis company Little Green Pharma Ltd released the 12-month analysis results of its QUEST trial program. The findings continue to demonstrate clinically meaningful improvements in all patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQL), fatigue levels, and sleep. Additionally, patients diagnosed with these conditions showed clinically significant improvements in anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, and pain.
The award-winning QUEST trial program, sponsored by Little Green Pharma Ltd (LGP), is one of the largest longitudinal clinical studies globally, investigating the impact of medical cannabis on patients’ quality of life. Led by the University of Sydney in Australia, LGP exclusively provided participants with discounted Australian-made medical cannabis oil. These cannabis medications contained varying ratios of active ingredients, though many patients used CBD-only formulations to maintain driving eligibility during the study.
The study also received support from nonprofit private health insurer HIF Australia, guidance from an experienced advisory panel, and endorsement from national organizations such as MS Research Australia, Chronic Pain Australia, Arthritis Australia, and Epilepsy Australia. The 12-month results of the QUEST trial program have undergone peer review and were published in the open-access journal PLOS One.
Trial Overview
Between November 2020 and December 2021, the QUEST trial program invited Australian adult patients who were new to medical cannabis and suffering from chronic conditions such as pain, fatigue, sleep disorders, depression, and anxiety to participate.
Participants ranged in age from 18 to 97 (average: 51), with 63% being female. The most commonly reported conditions were chronic musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain (63%), followed by sleep disorders (23%), and generalized anxiety disorder and depression (11%). Half of the participants had multiple comorbidities.
A total of 120 independent physicians across six states recruited participants. All participants completed a baseline questionnaire before starting medical cannabis treatment, followed by subsequent questionnaires at two weeks and then every 1–2 months over 12 months. Notably, eligibility required prior treatment failure or adverse effects from standard medications.
Trial Results
The 12-month analysis revealed very strong evidence (p<0.001) of improvements in overall HRQL, sleep, and fatigue among participants. Clinically meaningful symptom relief was also observed in subgroups with anxiety, pain, depression, and sleep disorders. “Clinically meaningful results” refer to findings that significantly impact individual health or well-being, potentially altering healthcare professionals’ understanding or treatment approaches.
All participants adhered to the trial protocol, taking oral cannabis medications after unsuccessful prior treatments with standard therapies. The analysis demonstrated remarkable positive effects of a single cannabis medication across such a broad range of refractory conditions. These 12-month findings also validate the initial 3-month QUEST trial results published in PLOS One in September 2023.
Dr. Paul Long, Medical Director of LGP, stated: “We are honored to continue leading medical cannabis research and supporting this pivotal trial on its impact on patients’ quality of life. These results are particularly important for Australian doctors, as they prove the efficacy of Australian-grown medical cannabis for local patients.”
He added: “By using domestically produced products and involving local patients, we generate highly relevant data to help doctors prescribe with confidence, ultimately improving patient care nationwide. Beyond medical benefits, this study provided access to experienced prescribers and more affordable medications—an initiative continued in our ongoing QUEST Global study.”
Dr. Richard Norman, Health Economics Advisor for the QUEST trial and Assistant Professor at Curtin University, remarked: “These findings are significant because they show medical cannabis can play a long-term role in improving health outcomes for chronic conditions, rather than serving as a ‘band-aid’ solution. The 12-month real-world results are promising, demonstrating that medical cannabis can be an effective tool for GPs treating chronic patients resistant to traditional therapies. Importantly, the benefits appear consistent across conditions like pain, anxiety, and sleep issues, with positive ripple effects on other aspects of life.”
Nikesh Hirani, Chief Data and Propositions Officer at HIF, noted: “Investing in ongoing research into medical cannabis’s potential health benefits is vital for our members, practitioners, and the broader community. Four years of trials have yielded encouraging results, with QUEST’s scientific evidence highlighting its positive impact on multiple debilitating conditions—improvements sustained over 12 months.”
He added: “HIF’s core mission is to help members access healthcare choices that enhance their quality of life. Data shows a 38% year-on-year increase in members reimbursing medical cannabis treatments, reflecting their recognition of its potential as an effective therapy.”
About Little Green Pharma
Little Green Pharma is a global, vertically integrated, and geographically diversified medical cannabis company engaged in cultivation, production, manufacturing, and distribution. With two production facilities worldwide, it supplies proprietary and white-label medical-grade cannabis products. Its Danish facility is one of Europe’s largest GMP-compliant medical cannabis production sites, while its Western Australian facility is a premium indoor operation specializing in handcrafted cannabis cultivars.
All products meet regulatory and testing standards set by the Danish Medicines Agency (MMA) and the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). With an expanding product range of varying active ingredient ratios, Little Green Pharma supplies medical-grade cannabis to Australia, Europe, and international markets. The company prioritizes patient access in emerging global markets, actively participating in education, advocacy, clinical research, and innovative drug delivery system development.
Post time: Apr-21-2025