Your Guide to Medicinal Cannabis
Learn more about Cannabis in Australia
Australia has been cautious in its approach to medical cannabis, with stigma still surrounding its use.
Meanwhile, around the world, cannabis is being legalised for medical and recreational purposes, with more people integrating it into their daily lives.
Is cannabis legal in Australia?
In 2016, the Australian government passed the Narcotic Drugs Amendment Act legalising the cultivation, production, and manufacturing of cannabis for medical purposes. The act allows companies to apply for licenses to grow and manufacture cannabis for medical use. The catch; the use of medical cannabis in Australia is strictly regulated.
Why is cannabis so heavily regulated in Australia?
To access medical cannabis in Australia, patients must obtain a prescription from a registered medical practitioner authorised to prescribe medical cannabis. The prescription must specify the type and amount of cannabis, and patients can only obtain their products from licensed pharmacies or approved suppliers.
Although accessing medical cannabis may seem like a lot of hoops to jump through, the regulations ensure that anyone who uses medical cannabis in Australia is guaranteed products tested and approved against strict quality and safety standards.
Categories of medical cannabis in Australia
- Category 1: CBD medicinal cannabis product (CBD ≥ 98%)
- Category 2: CBD dominant medicinal cannabis product (CBD ≥ 60% and < 98%)
- Category 3: Balanced medicinal cannabis product (CBD <60% and ≥ 40%)
- Category 4: THC dominant medicinal cannabis product (THC 60% – 98%)
- Category 5: THC medicinal cannabis product (THC >98%)
Cannabis types and products
Flower
The cannabis flower is dried and then fragmented into small portions for patients to inhale through vaporisation. This method provides a rapid and potent effect that diminishes quickly, resulting in a short-lived duration. Typically, flower products are preferred by patients who are 18 years of age or older.
Oils
Cannabis oil is a concentrated extract of the cannabis plant consumed orally as a tincture under the tongue. It has a slower onset but longer-lasting effects and is preferred by those who require precise dosing and a discreet method of consumption.
Capsules
Cannabis capsules contain a pre-measured dose of cannabis in the form of soft gels or hard-shell capsules. They provide a precise and convenient way of consuming cannabis, with effects that have a slower onset but longer-lasting duration.
Creams
Topical cannabis creams are used to ease localised pain and inflammation. The active compounds in cannabis, such as CBD and THC, are absorbed through the skin and provide targeted relief to the affected area without producing psychoactive effects.
Lozenges and wafers
Medical cannabis lozenges and wafers are ingested orally, providing a convenient and discreet method of consumption. Similar to capsules, they have a slower onset of effects, but the duration of impacts is longer, offering sustained relief for patients.
Oral sprays
Cannabis sprays offer a precise and convenient method of consumption, with effects similar in onset and duration to those of a lozenge or wafer.
Cannabis Benefits and Side Effects
Growing evidence suggests that medical cannabis can provide therapeutic benefits for some medical conditions, such as chronic pain, nausea and vomiting, multiple sclerosis, and epilepsy. However, the use of medical cannabis products should only be considered after all other treatment options have been exhausted.
As with any medication, there are potential side effects of using medical cannabis, including dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, and impaired motor function. In some cases, it can also cause more serious side effects, such as increased heart rate, anxiety, and psychosis. It’s important to discuss the potential benefits and risks of medical cannabis with a medical professional before use and to use it strictly according to their guidance.
"Everybody's responses is different.
Some individuals are more sensitive than others."
- Dr. Vicki Kotsirilos, GP
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