Medicinal cannabis available in NSW

Doctors in NSW will be able to prescribe medicinal cannabis for their patients from Monday.

Cannabis-based medicines have so far only been available to patients enrolled in clinical trials in NSW, but Premier Mike Baird said with regulatory changes the drugs could be prescribed for patients who have exhausted standard treatment options.

"People who are seriously ill should be able to access these medicines if they are the most appropriate next step in their treatment," Mr Baird said on Sunday.