In Australia, a licensed physician may lawfully prescribe medical marijuana. These physicians are required by Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) regulations to request TGA approvals for each patient’s unique medical cannabis use. Where necessary, CA Clinics provides patients with a pathway to access.
Australian medical cannabis trials as well as international studies have demonstrated the potential of medicinal cannabis to treat ailments and symptoms related to chronic pain, anxiety, nausea, childhood epilepsy, and a variety of autoimmune and neurodegenerative disorders. Some of these restrictions have TGA Special Access Scheme approval. But depending on each patient, adverse effects are possible with every treatment. You can talk to your doctor further about this.
Even though there is still a lot of stigma around marijuana and weed in some circles, there is now enough scientific evidence to support the potential health advantages of medical cannabis.
What is medical marijuana?
Medicinal cannabis is the term for pharmaceutical-grade medical cannabis products that are subject to TGA regulation in Australia. It is also known as medical cannabis or medical marijuana oil there. More than 100 distinct cannabinoids are present in the many cannabis plant species, many of which have unproven medical use.
Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol are the two main cannabinoids used by medical marijuana patients (CBD).
These two cannabinoids have diverse effects on the body, which may allow them to treat symptoms of a number of diseases.
The cannabinoid THC is what gives cannabis its characteristically intoxicating effects. THC has the potential to have therapeutic effects on pain alleviation, appetite stimulation, nausea relief, reduction in muscle spasm, and a variety of other actions in medicinal cannabis formulations.
Since CBD is not a psychoactive substance, it won’t make people feel good or “high.” The TGA has approved CBD for use under the SASB program for a variety of ailments and symptoms, including, but not limited to, anxiety, sleeplessness, pain, and inflammation. Due to its well-established safety profile and negligible adverse effects, doctors typically start medical cannabis patients in Australia with this course of treatment.
Is using medical cannabis safe?
Many clinical trials have been conducted to evaluate the safety profile of cannabis formulations used for medical purposes. Different cannabis profiles offered by each formulation affect the medicine’s potency and safety.
Legal CBD oil and CBD-dominant formulations have been evaluated and are generally recognized as safe for use in humans when used in conjunction with medical supervision because they have low toxicity compared to several regularly used conventional drugs. Medical CBD oil may occasionally cause moderate side effects, such as dry mouth, sleepiness, and gastrointestinal discomfort. People who are suffering side effects should speak with and inform their medical physician for additional evaluation.
doctors that will provide prescriptions for cannabis oil
Investigations into the safety profile of THC are ongoing. When given in a way that is acceptable for each medical cannabis patient, it is generally a safe substance. THC-containing pharmaceuticals should always be used under the guidance of a qualified medical practitioner since some people with particular diseases or medications may experience unintended negative effects. Again emphasizing the need for care under a medical cannabis professional, there are specific contraindications where prescribing doctors may choose for other medicinal cannabis clinic therapy options.
Although the side effects of THC in medical formulations can differ, they may include euphoria or intoxication, anxiety, nausea, low blood pressure, anxiety, and dry mouth. Although THC has the potential to cause tolerance and dependency, this is currently regarded as having a modest risk of dependence when compared to some other substances, and the long-term effects are still being researched.
Is Australian medical marijuana legal?
Australia has legalized medical marijuana on a federal level. The Australian government changed the law in order to make it lawful to prescribe cannabis-based medications in October 2016.
The Therapeutics Goods Administration (TGA) has authorized more than 46,000 applications for medical marijuana since it became legal (May 2020).
Patients who want to obtain authorized medical cannabis oil can visit their general practitioner or a physician who specializes in cannabis, such those at the Centre for Medicinal Cannabis – CA Clinics. The medical cannabis patient’s application will be processed through the Special Access Scheme (SAS) channels after the prescribing cannabis doctor evaluates each individual case for appropriateness with supporting documentation.
The Authorized Prescriber can write prescriptions for medicinal cannabis oil.
Through the Authorized Prescriber program, doctors who specialize in medicinal cannabis have the authority to recommend a particular medical cannabis oil product to patients who suffer from conditions like pain, anxiety, epilepsy, nausea, and vomiting. This route is rarely used because Special Access Scheme Category B processes the majority of medical cannabis prescriptions (SAS-B).
Medicinal professionals that follow the SAS-B pathway process individual applications for medical cannabis patients according to their unique conditions and the unregistered product that is proposed to be prescribed.
In Australia, medical cannabis is permitted by federal law.
Despite the fact that Australia has legalized medical marijuana on a federal level, most of the products are still unregistered medicines. This indicates that items have not been assessed by the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) to determine their efficacy and safety in order to be registered as medicines in Australia.
This means that neither the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme nor private health insurance will provide subsidies for a patient whose medication is not listed on the ARTG. With this pharmaceutical spectrum, state approvals and requirements may still be applicable.
Australia should anticipate a rise in the number of certified medical cannabis formulations in the upcoming years.
Australian medical marijuana is accepted
Australia has legalized medicinal cannabis oil, but other cannabis products that aren’t recommended by a doctor are still prohibited. The psychoactive component of CBD cannabis oil or marijuana oil, THC, is listed as a Schedule 8 prohibited narcotic, while CBD hemp oil, the other component of cannabis that is generally recognized, is listed as a Schedule 4 drug with no psychoactivity. It is prohibited to possess these substances without a prescription in any form.
Which states allow medical marijuana?
The Narcotic Drugs Act was amended in 2016 to provide legal access to medical cannabis in all Australian states. Medical marijuana patients in Australia can consult their general practitioner (GP) or a medical cannabis facility to determine their eligibility for medicinal marijuana oil because the routes for accessing medical cannabis are the same throughout the nation.
The applications required at the state level are determined by the numerous complexities of the laws governing medical cannabis in various states.
What conditions could cannabis oil be used for medically?
When all other treatments have failed, medical cannabis can be used as a therapy for a variety of illnesses and symptoms. Chronic pain, sleeplessness, seizures, and nausea or cachexia brought on by chemotherapy are a few of the key ailments for which medical cannabis has been proven to have some efficacy.
Australian trials of medical marijuana
Trials using medical cannabis have showed potentially beneficial results for a variety of emotional disorders. There is some proof that CBD oil and medicinal cannabis products can be used to treat the symptoms of mood disorders. Research is still needed to determine how medicinal cannabis should be used to treat mood and psychological illnesses because some results have been inconsistent or dose-dependent.
According to research, autoimmune disorders like Multiple Sclerosis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and Rheumatoid Arthritis may benefit from medical cannabis use.
Medical marijuana, especially CBD oil, has been shown to reduce seizures in both adult and pediatric epileptic patients. Additionally, by applying medical cannabis formulations, some cannabis patients may get alleviation from sleep difficulties.
Patients using medical cannabis oil
Additionally recommended for usage in oncology patients and palliative care settings is medical cannabis oil. Its claimed advantages are frequently comparable to those of conventional pharmacological treatments in terms of inflammation, pain alleviation, reduction of nausea, and good effects on anorexia for cancer patients and those nearing the end of their lives.
Other purposes for which medical cannabis is being investigated include;
Skin diseases like psoriasis and acne
neural degenerative diseases
Alzheimer’s
Huntington’s and Parkinson’s
Opioid dependence
other less typical ailments and signs.
