What is medicinal cannabis?

Medicinal cannabis (medical cannabis) is a cannabis product that is prescribed by a registered healthcare practitioner to relieve the symptoms of some medical conditions.

It comes from the cannabis plant and can also be called marijuana.

Medicinal cannabis is not considered a first line treatment, which means that your doctors will usually only prescribe it if other medicines do not work.

The cannabis plant contains a wide range of substances, including around 130 cannabinoids. Two main cannabinoids are:

• tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
• cannabidiol (CBD)

THC has strong psychoactive effects. It is the chemical that gets people high. CBD is thought to have no intoxicating effects. It can treat a wide range of symptoms.

Medicinal cannabis is pharmaceutical-grade and regulated in Australia with labelled levels of THC and CBD. It often comes in oral or capsule forms.

What is the difference between medicinal cannabis and cannabis?

Cannabis (marijuana) is a drug that is illegal to use, possess, grow or sell in most states and territories in Australia, except in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).

Medicinal cannabis is cannabis prescribed by a doctor to relieve the symptoms of a medical condition. Some types of medical cannabis are currently available under a Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) Special Access Scheme in Australia.

What types of medicinal cannabis products are there?

There are 3 main forms of medicinal cannabis:

• pharmaceutical cannabis — products that are approved by an organisation such as the TGA
• controlled and standardised herbal cannabis — plant products
• unregulated and illegal herbal cannabis — plant products which contain unknown amounts of cannabinoids and harmful impurities (USA only)

Pharmaceutical cannabis products usually come as a nasal or mouth spray.

What is medicinal cannabis used for?

Medicinal cannabis is not recommended as a first-line treatment for any health condition in Australia. Some doctors can, however, prescribe it as another option when other medicines do not work.

Medicinal cannabis is most often used for the treatment of chronic pain, including:

• cancer pain
• arthritis pain
• fibromyalgia
• back pain
• neck pain
• neuropathic pain (nerve pain)

Other conditions medicinal cannabis can help with include:

• anxiety
• cancer-related nausea and vomiting
• cancer related anorexia
• palliative care
• epilepsy
• multiple sclerosis (MS)

Medicinal cannabis is sometimes used in palliative care settings, under the guidance of a palliative care team.

There is currently research into using medical cannabis for insomnia and Tourette syndrome in Australia.

Are there any side effects of medicinal cannabis?

Like all medicines, you can experience side effects using medicinal cannabis.

Common side effects of medicinal cannabis that include CBD and THC with:

• confusion
• dry mouth, nausea and/or vomiting
• dizziness or vertigo
• drowsiness
• headaches
• sense of unease
• extreme happiness

Common side effects of CBD-only medicinal cannabis can include:

• appetite change
• mood change
• drowsiness
• mood change
• nausea
• diarrhoea

Would I benefit from medicinal cannabis?

Whether you would benefit from medicinal cannabis depends on your current medical condition and symptoms.

Medicinal cannabis can help people with chronic or life-limiting illnesses who may not get relief from other medicines. It can also help with side effects caused by other medicines, such as nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) suggests that a one-month trial should be used as a first treatment plan to see if medicinal cannabis is right for your condition and symptoms.

If you think that medical cannabis may help in your situation, speak to your doctor, nurse or specialist.

How can I get medicinal cannabis?

You can only get legal medicinal cannabis products from a registered medical doctor or specialist, or by taking part in a clinical trial.

Your first step is to discuss medicinal cannabis with your doctor. Your doctor will decide:

• if medicinal cannabis will help you
• which medicinal cannabis product to prescribe

Your doctor will also need to complete forms to get the necessary government approvals.

Once approved, your doctor can write you a prescription. You can take this prescription to a pharmacist to buy your medicinal cannabis.

What does medicinal cannabis cost?

The cost of medicinal cannabis can vary from $50 to $1,000 per week. This depends on:

• your illness
• the product
• the dose

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) doesn't cover medicinal cannabis.

How is medicinal cannabis regulated in Australia?

In 2016, the Australian Government legalised access to medicinal cannabis.

Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) regulates the supply of medicinal cannabis. Most medicinal cannabis products are unregistered drugs. To prescribe these products, your doctor must have approval from the TGA. This can be via the Special Access Scheme-B or Authorised Prescriber Scheme.

The laws are different in each state or territory. This may affect whether you can access medicinal cannabis.

You can check the laws in your state by visiting:

• ACT Health
• NSW Government
• Northern Territory Department of Health
• Queensland Health
• SA Health
• Tasmanian Department of Health
• Victoria Department of Health
• Healthy WA

There is a traveller’s exemption in Australia, which allows you to bring medicinal cannabis when returning to Australia from travelling, if you:

• have a prescription, and
• don't have more cannabis than the prescription says you will use in 3 months

It is illegal to import medical cannabis through the mail or by courier.

Can I drive after using medicinal cannabis?

Do not drive or operate machinery while using medicinal cannabis that has THC. THC will impact your driving and can increase your risk of having a car accident. This risk can last for up to 8 hours after taking oral THC products.

You may test positive for THC on roadside drug testing and must face the associated legal penalties.

There is no evidence that CBD affects driving. However, CBD can cause:

• drowsiness
• fatigue

Driving when tired or drowsy means you can’t concentrate properly on your driving and respond as quickly and safely as you should. Drowsy driving causes many road crashes.

Driving after taking certain drugs (known as ‘drug driving’) is a criminal offence. You should discuss the impact of medicinal cannabis on your driving with your doctor.

Can I grow my own medicinal cannabis?

Growing cannabis for your own use (including if you have a prescription) is illegal except in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). In some states, you will face a fine or prison sentence if you are caught:

• growing cannabis
• selling cannabis
• supplying cannabis

In October 2016, the Australian Government changed the law to allow the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes and for organisations to grow cannabis for research and to make pharmaceutical products.

When should I see my doctor?

If you have a medical condition or symptoms and you think medicinal cannabis can help you, you should speak to your doctor. They will be able to give you advice and if medicinal cannabis might be right for you

Here are some questions you can ask your doctor:

• Can medicinal cannabis help my condition?
• Is medicinal cannabis safe for me to use?
• Will it affect my other medicines?
• Are there any side effects?
• Will I be able to drive, work or care for my children if I take it?

Resources and support

For more information you can:

• visit the TGA website or phone 1800 020 653.
• call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015
• call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week