Medicinal cannabis products in Australia. According to my web search, there are two categories of medicinal cannabis products available in Australia: approved and unapproved¹. Approved products are registered on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) and have been assessed for quality, safety and effectiveness by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). There are only two approved products currently available in Australia: nabiximols (brand name Sativex) which contains THC and CBD, and cannabidiol (brand name Epidyolex) which is a CBD-only oil preparation¹. Unapproved products can be accessed by registered medical practitioners through the TGA’s access pathways, such as the Special Access Scheme (SAS) or the Authorised Prescriber Scheme (APS)¹. A list of manufacturers and suppliers of medicinal cannabis products is available on the Office of Drug Control website².

Some examples of unapproved medicinal cannabis products that doctors can prescribe in Australia are capsules, chewables, cream, crystals, flower, lozenges, oil, spray, sublingual tablets, suppositories, tinctures, and vape cartridges³. These products may have varying levels of THC and CBD, and may not be legal or safe to use without a prescription. They are not approved by any regulatory authority for medical use, and there is no evidence that they work for any condition¹.

If you are interested in using medicinal cannabis products for an existing medical condition, you should talk to your doctor first. They can advise you on the benefits and risks of using these products, and whether they are suitable for your condition. You should not use medicinal cannabis products without a prescription, as they may interact with other medications or cause side effects. You should also be aware of the legal status of cannabis in your country, as you may face penalties for possessing or using these products illegally¹.

Learn more:

1. adf.org.au2. odc.gov.au3. honahlee.com.au4. 

What are the requirements to access medicinal cannabis in Australia?

To access medicinal cannabis products in Australia, you need to meet the following requirements:

• You must have a valid prescription from a registered medical doctor who has appropriate qualifications and/or expertise for your medical condition¹.
• Your doctor must apply for approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to prescribe medicinal cannabis products for you through the Special Access Scheme (SAS) or the Authorised Prescriber Scheme (APS)²³.
• Your doctor must also obtain a licence and a permit from the Office of Drug Control (ODC) to import and supply medicinal cannabis products for you⁴.
• You must only use the medicinal cannabis products as prescribed by your doctor and follow their instructions carefully.
• You must not share, sell, or give away your medicinal cannabis products to anyone else, as this is illegal and may cause harm.
• You must be aware of the potential side effects and interactions of medicinal cannabis products with other medications or substances, and report any adverse reactions to your doctor.
• You must also be aware of the legal status of cannabis in your state or territory, as you may face penalties for possessing or using cannabis products illegally.

Learn more:

1. budherd.com.au2. tga.gov.au3. tga.gov.au4. odc.gov.au

The time to get approval for medicinal cannabis in Australia may vary depending on several factors, such as the type of product, the state or territory where the patient lives, and the availability of the prescribing doctor and the dispensing pharmacy. According to my web search, there are two main steps involved in getting approval for medicinal cannabis in Australia:

• The first step is to obtain a prescription from a registered medical doctor who has appropriate qualifications and/or expertise for your medical condition¹. Your doctor must apply for approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to prescribe medicinal cannabis products for you through the Special Access Scheme (SAS) or the Authorised Prescriber Scheme (APS)². This step may take from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the complexity of your case and the workload of the TGA. Some states may also require additional approval from their local health authorities¹.
• The second step is to obtain a licence and a permit from the Office of Drug Control (ODC) to import and supply medicinal cannabis products for you². Your doctor must also arrange for a pharmacy to dispense the medication to you. This step may take from a few days to a few months, depending on the availability of the product, the importation process, and the compliance with the ODC requirements¹.

Therefore, the total time to get approval for medicinal cannabis in Australia may range from a few weeks to several months. However, some sources suggest that the approval process has become easier and faster in recent years, as more doctors have become familiar with prescribing medicinal cannabis and more products have become available on the market³⁴. Some online platforms also offer services to connect patients with doctors and pharmacies that can provide medicinal cannabis access¹. However, you should always consult your doctor first before using any medicinal cannabis products, as they may not be suitable or safe for your condition.

Learn more:

1. pharmout.net2. tga.gov.au3. abc.net.au4. frontiersin.org5. cannigma.com+1 more

According to my web search, the most common medical conditions treated with medicinal cannabis in Australia are:

• Chronic non-cancer pain: Medicinal cannabis products can complement traditional treatment in relieving pain in some patients. Potential drug interactions can occur with other pain medication¹².
• Epilepsy in children: High-CBD (CBD-only) products have shown positive results in treating drug-resistant epilepsy and are TGA recommended for use alongside existing anti-epileptic drugs¹².
• Multiple sclerosis (MS): Combined CBD:THC products may help relieve MS-related pain, reduce muscle spasticity and improve quality of life. To date, no studies have compared cannabinoids with standard MS treatments¹².
• Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: High-THC products can be effective but should only be used if newer standard treatments have failed¹².
• Palliative (end-of-life) care: Medicinal cannabis products are reserved for patients who don’t respond to standard treatment. Potential drug interactions can occur with chemotherapy and other drugs used in palliative care¹².

Other conditions that medicinal cannabis products have been prescribed to treat or are being researched for include anxiety and depression, sleeping disorders, inflammatory disorders (Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Arthritis etc.), cancer-related anorexia, insomnia, Tourette syndrome and dementia³⁴. However, there is limited evidence about the effectiveness and safety of medicinal cannabis for these conditions, and more research is needed¹².

Learn more:

1. adf.org.au2. tga.gov.au3. auscannabisclinics.com.au4. smallcaps.com.au

Yes, there are several clinical trials for medicinal cannabis in Australia, covering a range of medical conditions and cannabinoid products. According to my web search, some of the ongoing or upcoming trials are:

• Anorexia Nervosa – CAFTAN study: This study aims to investigate the effects of CBD on appetite, weight, and quality of life in patients with anorexia nervosa¹.
• Exercise enjoyment – CANRUN2: This study aims to examine the effects of CBD on exercise enjoyment, performance, and recovery in healthy adults¹.
• Insomnia disorder – CUPID study: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CBD oil for the treatment of chronic insomnia¹.
• Spinal cord injury & pain – SCAN study: This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of a THC:CBD spray for neuropathic pain in patients with spinal cord injury¹.
• Epilepsy & medicinal cannabis – The CAPE Survey: This survey aims to understand the experiences and perspectives of people with epilepsy and their carers who use or have used medicinal cannabis products¹.
• Other conditions that are being researched for include anxiety and depression, sleeping disorders, inflammatory disorders, cancer-related anorexia, insomnia, Tourette syndrome and dementia².

If you are interested in joining a medicinal cannabis study in Australia, you can find more information on the websites of the Australian Centre for Cannabinoid Clinical and Research Excellence³, the Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics¹, Queensland Health⁴, and Applied Cannabis Research². You can also talk to your doctor about the eligibility criteria and the potential benefits and risks of participating in a clinical trial.

Learn more:

1. sydney.edu.au2. appliedcannabisresearch.com.au3. australiancannabinoidresearch.com.au4. health.qld.gov.au

The use of medicinal cannabis in Australia has been a topic of substantial interest and controversy in recent years. Since 2016, the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes has been legal in Australia. However, access to these treatments is strictly controlled and regulated through federal and state legislation. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), which is part of the Department of Health, is responsible for overseeing the use of medicinal cannabis in Australia. It is tasked with ensuring that the use of this treatment is safe, effective, and of high quality. The TGA also controls the cultivation, production, and manufacture of medicinal cannabis products in Australia. Medicinal cannabis is currently used in Australia to treat a variety of conditions. These include chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, some forms of epilepsy, and several other severe illnesses. Doctors can apply to the TGA for approval to prescribe medicinal cannabis on a case-by-case basis, or under the Special Access Scheme (SAS), which provides for the importation and supply of an unapproved therapeutic good for a single patient, on a case by case basis. Alternatively, doctors can also access medicinal cannabis products via the Authorised Prescriber Scheme. However, the prescription of medicinal cannabis is not widespread and remains relatively rare. This is largely because many doctors lack the necessary knowledge and training about medicinal cannabis, and because of the substantial administrative burden associated with prescribing it. Despite these challenges, the use of medicinal cannabis in Australia is growing. The number of SAS approvals for medicinal cannabis has increased significantly over the past few years, indicating a growing acceptance of this treatment among doctors and patients. Moreover, several clinical trials are currently underway in Australia to assess the safety and efficacy of medicinal cannabis for various conditions, including chronic pain, epilepsy, palliative care, and anorexia in patients with advanced cancer. The conversation around medicinal cannabis in Australia continues to evolve. While it is not yet considered a mainstream treatment, there is increasing recognition of its potential therapeutic benefits. Advocates for medicinal cannabis argue for more research and fewer restrictions to improve patient access to this promising treatment. However, critics caution against the risks associated with its use, including the potential for dependence and mental health issues. In conclusion, medicinal cannabis use in Australia is strictly regulated but growing in acceptance and application. As research continues and understanding in the medical community grows, it is likely that the role of medicinal cannabis in Australian healthcare will continue to evolve.