Where can I find Medicinal Cannabis Clinics in the Brisbane?

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For those looking to access medicinal cannabis, Brisbane residents require a prescription from a healthcare professional; specifically, either a doctor or nurse practitioner.

Understanding how to access medicinal cannabis in Brisbane can be confusing. This article will help you learn what types of medicinal cannabis products are available, access pathways available for patients in Queensland and some answers to frequently asked questions about the use of medical marijuanas in Brisbane.

Is weed legal in Brisbane?

Weed is a colloquial term for recreational marijuana, which remains illegal in Brisbane and Australia. However, for people looking for medicinal marijuanas, Brisbane residents can access legally produced and supplied medicinal cannabis products throughout Australia.

Sometimes called medical cannabis, Brisbane residents, where traditional therapeutic approaches have failed or are inappropriate, may be able to access medicinal cannabis products like they would any other prescription product.

Since 2016, patients seeking medical marijuanas in Brisbane can access medicinal cannabis products with a prescription from a registered medical practitioner, like a doctor or nurse practitioner. However, access requires approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

How do I qualify for medicinal cannabis treatment in Brisbane?

There are no pre-defined eligibility criteria to qualify for medicinal cannabis in Brisbane. The eligibility for medical cannabis treatment is assessed on a case-by-case basis by a trained medical professional (either a doctor or a nurse practitioner).

Any registered medical or nurse practitioner in Queensland can prescribe medicinal cannabis for any patient with any condition provided that they believe it is clinically appropriate and have obtained the required regulatory approval.

Most medicinal cannabis products are not listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). Because of this, approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is required in order for the medicine to be prescribed. There are different access pathways that your prescriber may apply to in order for you to access medical marijuanas in Brisbane.

Your doctor may seek approval on your behalf via one of the following TGA pathways:

• Special Access Scheme (SAS)
• Authorised Prescriber Scheme (AP)

Where can I legally obtain medicinal cannabis in Brisbane?

Following approval from the TGA, your doctor will provide you with a prescription for medicinal cannabis. Brisbane patients can take this prescription to a local pharmacy where the product will be dispensed, just as they would any other prescription medicine.

Accessing a medicinal cannabis product might be slower than other prescription medicines because the specific brand of the medicinal cannabis product selected by the prescriber must be ordered on a patient-by-patient basis and delivered to a pharmacy in Brisbane to be dispensed. Pharmacies are not able to stock unregistered medicinal cannabis products on their shelves.

How hard is it to get medical cannabis in Brisbane? 

Accessing medical cannabis in Brisbane can be as straightforward as accessing any other prescription medicine, as long as the prescription is issued by an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

There are, however, some slight differences when prescribing medicinal cannabis. Since most medical cannabis products are unapproved therapeutic goods, there are regulatory requirements and restrictions which must be satisfied before the prescription is written.

Only registered medical professionals have the authority to prescribe medicinal cannabis products when traditional treatments have proven ineffective. This process involves meeting eligibility criteria for medicinal cannabis and an application to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

Once approval is given by the TGA, medicinal cannabis can be dispensed from any pharmacy in Australia just like other prescription medicines.

What research supports the use of medicinal cannabis in Brisbane?

Medicinal cannabis products contain varying levels of different cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are the active compounds found within the cannabis plant. There are hundreds of cannabinoids, but the most studied are Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD).

Research has shown that cannabinoids interact with your body’s endocannabinoid system. This is a system that exists naturally within the body with effects on appetite and digestion, metabolism, pain and inflammation, mood, learning and memory, motor control, sleep, stress, and many other body systems.

Your body naturally makes its own cannabinoids, called endocannabinoids. Scientists have identified two types of endocannabinoids which are synthesised naturally within our bodies.

While there have been a few studies looking at the effects of medicinal cannabis, further research is needed to understand the role that medicinal cannabis might play in the treatment of medical conditions and how it works. There is also little known about the side effects, drug interactions and most suitable doses of individual cannabis products. This is the reason that medicinal cannabis is only considered where other more traditional treatments have failed or are not deemed appropriate.

What conditions can be treated with medicinal cannabis in Brisbane?

Until more research is conducted to understand the potential conditions medicinal cannabis might be used for, treatment with medicinal cannabis is completely at the discretion of the prescribing healthcare professional’s clinical decision. There is no set of conditions that medicinal cannabis can or cannot be used for. Some physicians will only use it in conditions where there is some information, including:

• severe muscular spasms and other symptoms of multiple sclerosis

There are currently no limitations for what a prescriber may prescribe medicinal cannabis for, so prescribers make the decision on a patient-by-patient basis considering the potential risks and benefits of therapy. If you are seeing medicinal cannabis for a certain condition, it is worth speaking to a healthcare professional that specialises in that condition.

Are there different types or strains of medicinal cannabis available in Brisbane?

Most medical marijuanas in Brisbane are not included on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). Doctors can apply to prescribe both plant-based products and synthetic products when used for a therapeutic purpose, including:

• tinctures: plant material infused in oil or alcohol
• vapours: dried plant material or concentrated cannabis extract is heated in a vaporiser
• capsules or sprays: generally, oil-based capsules taken by mouth
• dried flower: for inhalation

The type of product which a prescriber recommends for you will be individualised and dependent on your condition and other factors. Individual products may have varying levels of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD).

FAQ

If you are looking for independent telehealth cannabis clinics, Brisbane residents have access to Australia-wide health services that have a team of healthcare professionals trained and experienced in treatment with medicinal cannabis.

If you wish to consult a doctor who is familiar with prescribing medical cannabinoids Brisbane-wide, please click below to schedule an appointment and discuss your condition.