Where can I find Medicinal Cannabis Clinics in the Gold Coast?

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For people living on the Gold Coast, cannabis, more specifically, medicinal cannabis, is available legally. In fact, in Australia, the pathways that allow legal access to medicinal cannabis have provided a therapeutic option that can be used for people who have not been able to find relief using traditional therapies since 2016.

If you are looking for medicinal cannabis, Gold Coast pharmacies and clinics are able to provide you with legal access just like other prescription medicines. In this article, we will help you to learn more about access to medical marijuana, Gold Coast pharmacies that can dispense medicinal cannabis, and how doctors may be able to prescribe medical cannabinoids Gold Coast-wide.

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How can I qualify for medical cannabis in Gold Coast?

Firstly, it is important to understand that just like other prescription medicines, for you to access medicinal cannabis, Gold Coast pharmacies, just like pharmacies around Australia, will need a prescription issued by your doctor to be able to order and supply medicinal cannabis. Once you have a prescription for medicinal cannabis, the prescription can be taken to any Australian pharmacy to be dispensed.

Even though medical cannabis has been legal in Australia since 2016, there are still many misconceptions about who can obtain prescriptions. In Australia, any doctor or nurse practitioner, which includes your local GP, can prescribe medicinal cannabis for you no matter where you live, so long as they adhere to the regulatory requirements (like seeking approval from the TGA) and they feel that medicinal cannabis is appropriate for you and your condition.

How do you get medical cannabis in Gold Coast?

To obtain medical cannabis, Gold Coast residents and their healthcare professionals should understand the steps involved, as it is slightly different from typical prescription medicines. Partnering with an experienced local cannabis clinic or pharmacy to prescribe to you can be a great first step. It is recommended to consult with doctors who are knowledgeable and experienced in prescribing medicinal cannabis to ensure the best possible guidance and dosing recommendations.

To access medical marijuana, Gold Coast residents broadly follow the following four steps:

Medical Consultation: Speak with your doctor or medical professional. They will be able to listen and understand how and why medicinal cannabis products may be a suitable treatment option for you.
Eligibility Assessment: Your doctor will assess your medical condition, previous treatment options and the possible benefits of a new treatment. If your doctor or medical professional recommends a medicinal cannabis product, they will choose the product they consider the most appropriate for you.
Regulatory Approval: Your doctor will apply for approval by the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s (TGA) Special Access Scheme (SAS) or Authorised Prescriber Scheme (AP) on your behalf.
Prescription: Your doctor writes a prescription for medicinal cannabis, which can be dispensed at any pharmacy in Queensland or Australia

For more in-depth information on how to access Medicinal Cannabis all across Australia, check out our article entitled “Understand how Medicinal Cannabis is prescribed in Australia”.

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Greencare is an independent telehealth clinic who are not affiliated with Levin Health.

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Are there any restrictions on purchasing medical cannabis in Gold Coast?

If you are looking at sourcing medicinal cannabinoids, Gold Coast residents have the same access options as the rest of Australia. Medicinal cannabis is a prescription medicine, and for pharmacies to dispense a prescription medicine you must have a valid prescription from an Australian prescriber, either a doctor or nurse practitioner. The prescription can be taken to a pharmacy to be dispensed. Anyone with a valid prescription for medicinal cannabis can purchase medicinal cannabis from a pharmacy.

This is because, in 2016, Australia enacted the Narcotic Drugs Amendment Act, which allowed for the cultivation, manufacturing, and supply of medicinal cannabis products under strict regulations. These regulations aim to ensure that patients have access to safe and quality-controlled medicinal cannabis products. However, there are strict regulations and guidelines that need to be followed for its use.

Pharmaceutical medicinal cannabis products are generally not included on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) and are considered unapproved therapeutic goods.

It’s important to note that recreational use of cannabis remains illegal in Queensland, as in the rest of Australia.

FAQ

How does medicinal cannabis work?

Medical cannabis products contain varying levels of active compounds called ‘cannabinoids’. Medicinal cannabis works by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which is a system within our body that helps regulate various bodily functions. This system consists of receptors located throughout the body, such as the brain, immune system, and nervous system.

Cannabis contains hundreds of different cannabinoids, but the two most well-known ones are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). THC is responsible for the psychoactive effects commonly associated with cannabis, while CBD is non-intoxicating. Both are thought to have potential therapeutic effects, but the exact therapeutic effects are not known.

Different cannabinoids may have different effects, depending on which endocannabinoid receptors they interact with. Because medicinal cannabis has not been legal around the world for very long, there is a significant lack of information regarding how medical marijuana works. It is for this reason that for patients seeking medical marijuanas, Gold Coast residents, just like people around Australia, need to have tried other therapeutic options before medicinal cannabis can be prescribed.

What conditions can medicinal cannabis be used to treat in QLD?

As mentioned previously, there is a significant lack of information regarding specific uses of medicinal cannabis as there are not very many quality studies of the potential benefits of medicinal cannabis. For this reason, there are limitations associated with the safety of cannabis used for medicinal purposes.

What is most important to remember is that for access to medical marijuana, Gold Coast residents, just like people around Australia, need to have tried traditional therapies which have either failed, not worked, or are otherwise inappropriate before a prescriber is allowed to write a prescription for medicinal cannabis.

For those seeking medicinal marijuana, Queensland residents have accessed medicinal cannabis for a variety of reasons including:

Anxiety
Chronic pain
Parkinson’s disease
Migraines
Arthritis
Nerve pain
Sports injuries
Cancer treatment side effects, like chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting

What types of medicinal cannabis products are available in Queensland?

Patients have access to various forms of medicinal marijuanas in Queensland, including oils, capsules, sprays, tinctures, and dry flower products.

These medicinal cannabis products can be administered orally, sublingually (under the tongue), or through vaporisation. The choice of delivery method depends on factors such as the condition being treated and personal preference.

Consulting with a medical professional, especially one that is skilled in prescribing medicinal cannabis, can help determine the most suitable option for you.

What is the cost of medical cannabis on the Gold Coast?

Medicinal cannabis is not subsidised under Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) which means that the cost can vary greatly based on the type and quantity of medicinal cannabis prescribed.

It is advisable to discuss potential costs with the doctor before initiating treatment, with costs ranging from $50 to hundreds of dollars per week. Consulting with a medical professional can help determine the most suitable option for medicinal cannabinoids on Gold Coast.

How does medicinal cannabis interact with other medications?

Medicinal cannabis is a medicine, and understanding how medicine interacts with other medicines can be complex. Any medicinal product may interact with other medicines you are taking, including over-the-counter medicines or vitamin and mineral supplements. If you have questions about how medicinal cannabis may interact with other products you are taking, speak to a pharmacist or your doctor. It is important, like with other medicines, to tell your doctor what other medicinal products you are taking – including all prescription, over-the-counter, and complementary medicines like vitamins and herbal products.

Medicinal cannabis may interact with other medications in several ways. Medicinal cannabis may enhance the effects of certain medications, such as leading to increased sedation, or it may also reduce the effectiveness of some medications by competing for the same receptors or pathways in the body.

Further research is needed to better understand the potential interactions between medicinal cannabis and other medicines, and this is just one of the reasons that the use of medicinal cannabis under the supervision of an experienced healthcare professional is very important.

Can I travel with medical cannabis within the Gold Coast?

If you have a legally obtained prescription for medicinal cannabis, you are allowed to carry it on your person within Australia. It is important to remember that even though travelling in Australia is legal with a valid prescription, it is not legal in many countries around the world and can carry severe consequences if you are travelling with it in some countries, such as Indonesia. Remember to check with the relevant authorities of any countries you are visiting before travelling overseas with medicinal cannabis.

When it comes to driving, even with a valid prescription, it is currently illegal to drive with any amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in your system in Queensland and throughout most of Australia. Any substance that has an effect on the mind and body is capable of impairing your ability to drive, even prescribed pharmaceutical products like medicinal cannabis with the active ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Speak with your doctor or medical professional before starting treatment with medicinal marijuanas in QLD to better understand the precautions while travelling using medicinal cannabis products.

Looking for reputable cannabis doctors, Gold Coast, or Australia-wide?

It is important to seek the advice of experienced healthcare professionals to support you in your journey using medical cannabinoids. A healthcare professional who is knowledgeable and experienced in prescribing medicinal cannabis can support you to ensure the best possible guidance and recommendation, as well as determine if medicinal cannabis is right for you.

Below you will find an independent telehealth clinic with a team of healthcare professionals trained and experienced in medical marijuana treatments.

Experienced in prescribing medical cannabinoids, Gold Coast residents can choose their preferred option to book an appointment to discuss their condition and suitability for medicinal cannabis treatment.

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If you are struggling with chronic pain, it’s important you speak with a healthcare professional for advice. Greencare is a telehealth clinic offering consultations with doctors and nurse practitioners who specialise in the management of chronic pain. If you want to talk about your condition and alternative treatment options that may be available for you, you can click above to book an appointment with a healthcare professional.

Greencare is an independent telehealth clinic who are not affiliated with Levin Health.

Levin Health provides links to independent clinics that provide telehealth services for patients around Australia. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health professionals with any questions regarding your health, medical condition, or whether a particular treatment is right for you.

References

Queensland Health. Prescribing medicinal cannabis in Queensland. Available at https://www.health.qld.gov.au/public-health/topics/medicinal-cannabis/prescribing