Australian researchers have found a drug that could alleviate the short-term effects of cannabis withdrawal.
The research, which is yet to be published, was presented on Friday at the New Zealand Drug Foundation's International Drug Policy Symposium.
David Allsop from the National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre in Sydney says researchers gave patients a drug called Sativa, a mouth spray containing cannabis extracts.
The patients used on average 23 grams of cannabis a week.
Dr Allsop says over eight days it significantly decreased withdrawal symptoms like insomnia, loss of appetite and mood swings.
He says while cannabis withdrawal symptoms are mild, they drive people trying to stop using the drug to relapse.
Dr Allsop says after a 28-day follow-up, the long term outcomes of the patients had not improved, but researchers now want to look at using the drug for a long-term maintainence plan.
He says cannabis use is consistently the most prevalent illicit drug in Australia, and worldwide, the number of people seeking treatment is increasing.