Access
Accessing
Medical Cannabis.
What is medicinal cannabis?
Medical cannabis encompasses a wide range of products derived from the cannabis plant. These products can be prescribed by Australian doctors to treat patient conditions.
Did you know?
Patients in Australia can now access medical cannabis through a prescribing doctor.
How to access
cannabinoid medicines
in Australia
Whilst medicinal cannabis is legal in Australia, it needs to be prescribed by a registered health practitioner.
- Each patient must consult with their health professional to determine their eligibility.
- Health professionals include a patient’s GP, specialists, and nation-wide physicians specializing in cannabinoid therapeutics.
- Every practitioner who prescribes cannabinoid medicines must apply for health authority approval.
- Regulations on the prescription of cannabinoid medicines also vary between states. Whether you are a patient or practitioner, please ensure you follow the regulatory process of the state in which you practice or reside. See here for the TGA state-by-state information.
The Endocannabinoid
system.
The endocannabinoid system is found throughout the body; in the central nervous system, internal organs, connective tissues, glands and immune cells and is responsible for maintaining the body in a state of homeostasis (“relax, eat, sleep, forget, protect”).
Despite its pervasiveness, the system’s discovery has occurred relatively recently; and it is only now that the potential of cannabinoid therapeutics are starting to be fully explored and appreciated.
Key to prescribing or taking cannabinoid medicines, is the understanding of their effect on the body. Cannabis contains over 400 compounds, however, those that you likely would have heard of are THC (psychoactive) and CBD (non-psychoactive).
These two key cannabinoids and the other compounds interact with receptors in the brain and body, influencing the body’s Endocannabinoid and other systems. These can work to produce medicinal effects on the body used to treat a variety of physical and mental ailments.
The synergy of CBD and THC has been cited to cause the ‘entourage effect’ – maximising patient outcomes when working together.
Did you know?
The endocannabinoid system extends from the brain, immune and gastrointestinal system throughout the body.
CBD-1
The CB1 receptor is the most abundant G-Protein coupled receptor (GPCR) in the mammalian brain and nervous system. The system’s discovery has occurred relatively recently; and it is only now that the potential of cannabinoid therapeutics are starting to be fully explored and appreciated.
CBD-2
CB2 receptors are commonly found within our immune system’s cells. CB2 receptors help to control inflammation and the response of our body’s response to pathogens (bacteria, virus, or other microorganism that can cause disease).
Want to find out more as a patient?
Want to find out more as a health professional?
Understanding different
strains and cannabinoid medicines
- Cannabinoid medicines can come in a range of formats such as flowers, edibles, oils, topical treatments.
- Each strain contains different levels of THC and CBD. Additional compounds, such as terpenes and flavonoids within cannabis bring different effects on the body.
- With such a wide variety of different compound levels and potential effects, the choice of product and dose will be highly individualized to each patient’s needs.
