Medicinal marijuana has left the lab in New South Wales.

Doctors in NSW can prescribe medicinal cannabis for their patients from Monday.

Until today, cannabis-based medicines have been limited to patients enrolled in clinical trials in NSW.

But now, Premier Mike Baird says regulatory changes are in effect, so that the drugs can be prescribed for patients for whom standard treatment options are ineffective.

“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.