The Cannabinoids for Symptom Control in Advanced Cancer, an Open Label Prospective Clinical Trial in NSW (CARE NSW) began recruiting patients in February 2020 to see if the drug could provide a safe and effective new treatment option.

The Western NSW Local Health District announced on Tuesday that Orange-based oncologist Dr Robert Zielinski would oversee the trial at Orange Hospital.

The purpose of which is to try and determine the best dose and frequency of medicinal cannabis for reliving key symptoms of advanced cancer, including uncontrolled pain, nausea or anorexia.

According to the Centre for Medicinal Cannabis Research and Innovation website, CARE NSW is "currently the largest investigator-led medicinal cannabis trial in advanced cancer world-wide, enabling NSW to be a world leader in clinical research of cannabis medicines".

The state-wide trial is sponsored and funded by the NSW Government through the NSW Clinical Cannabis Medicines Program, providing legal access to cannabis medicines for patients the study.

Including Orange Hospital, nine different sites in NSW are involved in the study with 600 participants in total.

Other sites include the Chris O'Brien Lifehouse in Camperdown, Liverpool Hospital, Westmead Hospital, The Prince of Wales in Randwick, Gosford Hospital, Wyong Public Hospital, Tamworth Rural Referral Hospital and St Vincent's.