Kevin James is strictly opposed to recreational cannabis consumption and admits to once having long-standing doubts over medical marijuana being used as a chronic pain treatment.

So why does the 55-year-old now describe himself as a "leading medicinal cannabis advocate" who is calling on "the government to relax its overregulation" of the alternative treatment?

"I have a degenerative lower back disorder that causes nerve pain and osteoarthritis pain," he told nine.com.au.

Kevin James never smoked weed illegally and had reservations about its use as a treatment for pain. (Supplied)

Mr James was diagnosed with facet disease in 2009 – a disorder that forced him to stop working as an occupational nurse and eventually left him bedridden in constant agony.

"I couldn't walk, I couldn't stand, I couldn't sleep," he said.

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Doctors prescribed him slow-release opiates to deal with the crippling condition, but he was hesitant to rely on a drug he felt had troubling side effects.

"Opiates dull the senses and a lot of people become addicted," he said.

Desperate for a long-term solution, the Brisbane local began researching medical cannabis.

"I researched it for around 12 months and admit I was sceptical at first," he said.

"I think there's a stigma because people are bluffed by the government's misinformation and the media's campaign of fear."

After looking at success of patients in Canada and the US where medical cannabis has been legal for some time, Mr James set about finding a doctor willing to give him a prescription.

Medical cannabis has been widely available in Canada and parts of the US for some time now. (Getty)

He was knocked back again and again before eventually being given access to medicinal cannabis under the Therapeutic Goods Administration's Special Access Scheme in October 2018.

He claims his quality of life has greatly improved ever since.

"I get great relief from the cannabis," he said.

"It's not the be all and end all as I still need to take opiates, but it's helped me reduce my opiate usage by 50 per cent.

"This has made me more energetic, made me more active and made my brain work better. I'll never work again, but I can get out of the house more than I previously could."

The success of the treatment has surprised Mr James, but he is still quick to remind others that medical cannabis is not a miracle cure for chronic pain.

"I think some people assume your jumping out of bed and running marathon the next day [after using medical cannabis], but this isn't the case," he said.

"Over time medical cannabis has helped me knock off about 50 per cent of my pain … an acceptable level that allows me to reconnect with people."

Doctors supporting medical weed say it allows for more quality control for patients. (Supplied)

Mr James said doctors need more education over medical cannabis because those in need were missing out on its benefits because of overregulation.

"Theoretically you can get a prescription in 48 hours if your doctor knows how to do the two hours' paperwork … but a lot of GPs don't have the time or knowledge," he said.

He added more work needs to be done in regards to pricing, with many people unaware there's hundreds or different dosages, strengths and blends.

The most extreme cases are seeing people pay about $600 for a treatment that will only last four days, although Mr James' medicine costs him $75 per week or $250 per month.

"While it's not a huge cost, it's still too much for people on aged pension or those who are medically retired," he said.

Family physician Dr Mark Ware has served as a medical cannabis advisor to the Canadian government since 2001 and said it's important Australian doctors act as gatekeepers for the treatment as it becomes more accepted.

"Many patients are already self-medicating with cannabis, usually from illicit and unregulated sources. This means they miss important safety and quality control procedures for usage," he told nine.com.au.

"Illicit use means patients often hide information from their treating physician, preventing adequately informed shared clinical decision making.

"Illicit use also prevents the conduction of important research on safety and effectiveness, which could be better informed by access to regulated therapeutic cannabis products."

Dr Ware believed doctors are ill-informed about the risks and benefits around medical cannabis. (Supplied)

The Chief Medical Officer at Spectrum Therapeutics said even though he believes in easier access to medical cannabis, he can see why there is doubt from other medical practitioners from Australia.

"As a physician myself, I understand the conflicting pressures that doctors face – from patients who wish to have access to cannabis, to the regulatory bodies and colleges who may not support such access," he said.

"There is a desperate need for balanced and timely education programs around issues such as endocannabinoid science, dosing of THC and CBD, patient screening and monitoring, safety concerns and adverse event reporting."

The Australian Medical Association said it is awaiting the results of clinical trials of medicinal marijuana before endorsing it for it specific conditions.