Looking for medicinal cannabis in Sydney?
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Sometimes called “medical weed,” Sydney-siders are able to access medical marijuanas in Sydney. More accurately known as medicinal cannabis, access became legal across Australia for medical reasons. If you are looking for Sydney cannabis clinics, read on as we take you through the ins-and-outs of accessing medical marijuana in Sydney, how you can find a cannabis doctor in Sydney, the legalities of medical marijuana in NSW, as well as answering some frequently asked questions about medicinal cannabis in general.
Where can I find Medicinal Cannabis Sydney-wide?
There is no such thing as “the cannabis centre” of Australia because medicinal cannabis is actually available Australia-wide, including all over NSW and Sydney.
Since 2016, when the Australian government legalised access to medicinal cannabis and opened pathways for patients to access medicinal cannabis treatment, there has been growing interest in the potential therapeutic benefits throughout Australia and NSW. Medicinal cannabis can be accessed just like any other prescription product (that is, with a prescription from your prescriber), and just like any prescription product, can be purchased from your local pharmacy in most cases.
To access medicinal marijuanas in Sydney, you will first need a prescription. There is no need to find a specific cannabis doctor; Sydney-siders can receive a prescription for medicinal cannabis from any local doctor or nurse practitioner who can prescribe medical cannabinoids Sydney-wide.
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 below to book an appointment with a healthcare professional.
Greencare is an independent telehealth clinic who are not affiliated with Levin Health.
How do I access medical marijuanas in NSW?
Currently, most medicinal cannabis products are not registered on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) and are not available as registered prescription medicines. Medicinal cannabis in Australia must be accessed by special pathways available for unapproved medicines.
The first step in accessing medicinal cannabis is to consult with a healthcare professional familiar with the Special Access Scheme or registered under the Authorised Prescriber Scheme (APS). The Special Access Scheme (or SAS for short) is open to all doctors around Australia, and even nurse practitioners; There are no special requirements for prescribers to prescribe products on the Special Access Scheme. You can learn more about Authorised Prescribers below.
The aim is to provide legal access to medical cannabis Sydney and Australia-wide, where appropriate, that meets Australia’s regulatory expectations. The process for accessing medicinal cannabinoids in Sydney may vary from other states.
Patients seeking medicinal cannabis must have a condition for which conventional treatments have been unsuccessful. Common indications in Australia include chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and chemotherapy-induced nausea.
How can I locate Authorised Cannabis Prescribers in Sydney?
Although any doctor around Australia can prescribe medicinal cannabis under the special access scheme, you may wish to find a doctor who is enrolled in the Authorised Prescriber Scheme (or APS for short). These prescribers have registered with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (also known as the TGA, who is the governing body for therapeutic goods in Australia), to be able to prescribe medicinal cannabis without needing to go through the SAS pathway.
Authorised prescribers who specialise in medicinal cannabis can be found in specialised medicinal cannabis clinics Sydney-wide, however there is no specific list or directory of doctors.
It’s important to note that prescribers on the APS can only prescribe medicinal cannabis products when traditional treatments have proven ineffective.
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 below to book an appointment with a healthcare professional.
Greencare is an independent telehealth clinic who are not affiliated with Levin Health.
Common questions about Medicinal Cannabis
Can I apply for medical cannabis through the government?
Individual consumers cannot apply to the TGA or other government bodies to obtain approval to access unapproved medicinal cannabis products in NSW. Access can only be arranged through an Australian-registered medical practitioner with appropriate qualifications and expertise in treating your medical condition.
Access requires a medicinal cannabis prescription in NSW. Your medical practitioner may apply to the TGA on a case-by-case basis for approval to import and/or supply medicinal cannabis products to you.
How does medicinal cannabis work?
Medical cannabis products contain different levels of compounds called cannabinoids. These cannabinoids interact with the body’s natural endocannabinoid system, which is known to help regulate various bodily functions. The endocannabinoid system is made up of receptors located throughout the body, including the brain, immune system, and nervous system.
The effects of different cannabinoids will vary depending on the specific receptors they interact with. Cannabis contains hundreds of cannabinoids, but the most well-known ones are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).
While medicinal cannabis has been prescribed for various conditions, it’s not clear how medicinal cannabis works, because research into medicinal cannabis is very limited. This is the reason why medicinal cannabis is only used in situations where all other therapeutic options have been exhausted. If you think that accessing medicinal cannabis in Sydney may help manage your condition, speak to your doctor for an assessment.
What is the difference between medicinal cannabis and marijuana?
Medicinal cannabis is not the same as recreational cannabis.
The term ‘medicinal cannabis’ describes a class of medicines that are derived from the cannabis plant. These medicinal products contain varying levels and types of cannabinoids, commonly including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Medicinal cannabis products are regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) throughout Australia, including medicinal cannabis in NSW.
Marijuana itself is not classified as a medicine. Marijuana is colloquially called ‘weed’ which is an illicit drug that remains mostly illegal across Australia.
What conditions can be treated with medicinal cannabis in Sydney, NSW?
In Australia, Medicinal cannabis is most commonly prescribed for epilepsy, multiple sclerosis (MS), chronic non-cancer pain, and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. It is important to remember that medicinal cannabis does not have a list of approved conditions for which it can be used, and it remains at the discretion of the treating prescriber to determine if medicinal cannabis is the right treatment option for you. It can only be used when other treatments have failed.
It is important to find an experienced prescriber, including an authorised cannabis prescriber in Sydney who is experienced in the use of medical marijuanas NSW-wide. Treatment with medicinal cannabis is very personalised and requires thorough clinical assessment. Although there may be some evidence to suggest a benefit from medicinal cannabis treatment for one condition or symptom, this does not mean it will have benefits for other conditions, even with the same product and the same dose.
Are there different forms of medicinal cannabis available in Sydney?
There are many different forms of medicinal cannabis available, which allows patients to receive a treatment that might better suit their specific needs. Medicinal cannabis products may be formulated as oral solutions or capsules, vapours, or topical preparations.
Your authorised cannabis prescriber may recommend a specific form of medicinal cannabis treatment that they feel is most appropriate for you after consultation and review of your condition.
Can I drive while using medical marijuanas in Sydney?
It is illegal to drive while under the influence of any substance that might affect your ability to drive safely, including medicinal cannabis. In NSW, there are strict laws regarding driving under the influence of drugs. The presence of THC (the main psychoactive component in cannabis) in your system can lead to legal penalties.
If you are using prescribed medicinal cannabis, it is recommended to follow the advice of your healthcare provider.
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 below to book an appointment with a healthcare professional.
Greencare is an independent telehealth clinic who are not affiliated with Levin Health.
Can I use medicinal cannabis alongside other medications?
Medicinal cannabis is a medicine. As such, there may be interactions between medicinal cannabis and your other medications, including over-the-counter products or supplements. Currently, there is little evidence to provide clinical guidance on the interactions between medicinal cannabis and other products. As most cannabinoid products enter the liver and the central nervous system, there are likely to be interactions with medications, over-the-counter products and supplements that are involved in these body systems.
Medicinal cannabis may have an additive effect with some medicines, such as sedation.
Speak to your doctor or pharmacist to understand any potential interactions between medicinal cannabis and your other medications.
What are the legal implications of using medicinal cannabis in Sydney?
As of October 2016, the Australian federal government legalised the use of medical cannabis for certain medical conditions. The framework allows patients to access medicinal cannabis products with a prescription from a healthcare professional who is an authorised cannabis prescriber in Sydney, which includes any doctor or nurse practitioner.
Under federal law, medicinal cannabis is regulated as a controlled substance. This means there are regulations and restrictions surrounding the use, possession, and cultivation of marijuana in Sydney and Australia-wide. The regulatory framework is mainly governed by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and includes requirements such as a doctor’s prescription for a specific medicinal cannabis product.
Additionally, patients seeking medical cannabinoids in Sydney should be aware that laws and regulations relating to medicinal cannabis may evolve over time, and it is crucial to stay informed about any legal updates or changes that may affect the use of prescribed medicinal cannabis in Sydney.
How hard is it to get medical cannabis in Sydney?
Since medical marijuanas in NSW are unapproved therapeutic goods, there are regulatory requirements and restrictions which must be satisfied before it is prescribed.
Only registered medical professionals experienced in prescribing medicinal cannabis have the authority to prescribe medicinal cannabis products when traditional treatments have proven ineffective. This process involves meeting eligibility criteria for medicinal cannabis and application to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) by Authorised Cannabis Prescribers.
Getting medicinal cannabis dispensed from a pharmacy can be as simple as getting any other prescription medicine. This is because any pharmacy in the country can provide and dispense medicinal cannabis as they would with other medications.
Although they are allowed to supply medicinal marijuana, Sydney pharmacies will likely not routinely keep medicinal cannabis products on their shelves. If you have a valid prescription for medicinal cannabis, you may buy cannabis oil in Sydney at any pharmacy.
Can I use medicinal cannabis for multiple sclerosis in Sydney?
There is a TGA-registered medicine for use in multiple sclerosis for muscle spasticity. However, like with other conditions, there is only low to moderate evidence supporting the use of medicinal cannabis products for treating the symptoms of multiple sclerosis. There is no evidence to support the use of most cannabinoids as a single, primary, or initial treatment.
The prescribing of medicinal cannabis for multiple sclerosis in Sydney follows the same process and requires consultation with a healthcare professional who is familiar with medicinal cannabis products available in NSW and the condition you are treating.
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 below to book an appointment with a healthcare professional.
Greencare is an independent telehealth clinic who are not affiliated with Levin Health.
Are there any side effects or risks associated with medicinal cannabis?
As with all medicines, you may experience side effects or adverse events while undergoing treatment with medicinal cannabis. Side effects may vary depending on several factors, including the characteristics and formulation of the medicinal cannabis prescribed. Currently, there is limited evidence about the type and frequency of side effects that may be associated with medicinal cannabis treatment.
The known side-effects from medicinal cannabis treatment include fatigue and sedation, vertigo, nausea and vomiting, fever, decreased or increased appetite, dry mouth, and diarrhoea. Further research is required to understand the role that prescription medicinal cannabinoids play in the treatment of health conditions. It is important to speak to an experienced health professional about any questions or concerns you may have about NSW medicinal cannabis.
Below you will find an independent telehealth clinic with a team of healthcare professionals who are highly experienced in prescribing medicinal cannabis products Australia-wide, including NSW.
