Frequently asked questions

Medicinal cannabis refers to the pharmaceutical products using the cannabis plant, or chemicals contained within it, to treat medical conditions. These pharmaceutical products include oils, tinctures and capsules.

There are more than 500 chemical compounds found within the cannabis plant, including over 114 different cannabinoids, which are responsible for most of the plant’s therapeutic benefits. The two main cannabinoids found in cannabis which have been studied extensively are THC and CBD. Cannabis medicines can be a combination of both THC and CBD or only THC or CBD, depending on the health condition for which they are prescribed.

For some people suffering from chronic or terminal illnesses, conventional medicines may not be effective in relieving symptoms alone, and additional medicines may be considered for inclusion in their treatment management plan. Also, for some patients, conventional medicines may work but cause debilitating side effects that cannabis may be considered appropriate to help relieve.

CBD only medicines contains nil, negligible, or low levels of THC and does not create the ‘high’ or psychoactive effects often associated with cannabis. Indeed, people prescribed to use CBD only medicines can still drive. THC is the compound which produces the ‘high’. CBD is used to treat several inflammatory disorders, epilepsy and mood disorders.

Generally, most people tolerate CBD well and the side effects of CBD-only products are considered to be very low compared to THC-only or THC-inclusive products.

Medically prescribed cannabis products are heavily regulated by the Federal Government’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). These products have been evaluated to ensure they meet strict manufacturing and supply quality standards. This government regulated system ensures that patients receive high quality products. Non-prescription or street products, whether illegally imported or locally produced have absolutely no guarantee of content, quality, safety, effectiveness or consistently.

As with all prescription medicines, patients taking medicinal cannabis may experience unwanted side effects such as fatigue and sedation, vertigo, nausea and vomiting, fever, decreased or increased appetite, dry mouth, and diarrhoea, for example.

It is important that regardless of the types of medicines you take, if you experience a change in your condition you should discuss these changes with a medical professional.

You should discuss your current health status with a medical professional before starting on any new medicine.

There are no restrictions on which conditions can be prescribed for medicinal cannabis treatment, as each patient requires assessment by a medical professional and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Patients with over 130 different types of conditions have been approved for treatment with medicinal cannabis in Australia. Some of these conditions include the following:

• chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting
• refractory paediatric epilepsy
• palliative care indications
• cancer pain
• neuropathic pain
• spasticity from neurological conditions
• anorexia and wasting associated with chronic illness (such as cancer)

Before prescribing medicinal cannabis, your doctor will assess your circumstances to determine if medicinal cannabis treatment is appropriate for you. Your doctor will take into account your medical history and family health history. They will also consider your current medications and any problems with drug dependence and substance abuse. The TGA recommends medicinal cannabis only be used after conventional treatments have been unsuccessful.

If your doctor thinks you may be eligible for medicinal cannabis, they must apply to the TGA for approval.

Please note, medicinal cannabis cannot be prescribed to women who are currently pregnant or breastfeeding.

Your current treating doctor in NSW can contact the NSW Cannabis Medicines Advisory Service for more information about cannabis medicines. The NSW Government established the Service to provide expert clinical guidance and support to NSW doctors considering prescribing a cannabis medicine for their patient. The Service is free of charge for health professionals.

Reference: NSW Centre for Medicinal Cannabis Research and Innovation

Currently, there are no medicinal cannabis products which are subsidised by the government under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). This means patients generally must pay for the full cost of medicinal cannabis products.

The range and level of private health insurance companies and cover policy options in Australia is extensive, it is important that you check with your insurance company to find out if the cost of treatment with medicinal cannabis is covered under your policy.

The road rules do not outlaw driving if you have consumed CBD, unlike alcohol or illicit drugs. However, if your driving or capacity to drive is impaired as a result of consuming CBD, you should not drive and may be committing a criminal offence.

No. Our products are CBD-only and do not contain THC, which is the compound in cannabis that gets you ‘high’ or ‘stoned’.

Low strength CBD-only products have been prescribed to children. One of the conditions widely treated by medicinal cannabis is childhood epilepsy.