What is medicinal cannabis?

Medicinal cannabis (medical cannabis) is a cannabis product that is prescribed by a registered healthcare practitioner. It is used to relieve the symptoms of some medical conditions.

It comes from the cannabis plant.

Medicinal cannabis is not considered a first line treatment. This means that your doctor will usually only prescribe it if other medicines do not work.

The cannabis plant contains a wide range of substances, including around 130 cannabinoids. Two main cannabinoids are

• tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
• cannabidiol (CBD)

THC has strong psychoactive effects. It is the chemical that makes a person feel 'high'.

CBD does not cause a 'high'. When taken with THC, it may help control the 'high' caused by THC.

Medicinal cannabis is pharmaceutical-grade and regulated in Australia. The label shows what levels of THC and CBD a product contains.

What is the difference between medicinal cannabis and cannabis?

In most states and territories in Australia, cannabis (marijuana) is a drug that is illegal to:

• use
• possess
• grow
• sell

Medicinal cannabis is legally prescribed by a doctor to relieve the symptoms of a medical condition.

Some types of medical cannabis are currently available under a Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) Special Access Scheme in Australia.

What types of medicinal cannabis products are there?

There are 3 main forms of cannabis:

• pharmaceutical cannabis — products that are approved by an organisation such as the TGA
• controlled and standardised herbal cannabis — plant products
• uncontrolled and illegal herbal cannabis — plant products which can contain unknown amounts of cannabinoids and harmful impurities

Pharmaceutical cannabis products can come as:

• capsules
• a nasal spray
• a mouth spray

What is medicinal cannabis used for?

Medicinal cannabis is not recommended as a first-line treatment for any health condition in Australia. Some doctors can, however, prescribe it as another option when other medicines do not work.

Medicinal cannabis is most often used for the treatment of chronic pain, including neuropathic pain (nerve pain).

Other conditions medicinal cannabis can help with include:

• cancer-related nausea and vomiting
• epilepsy
• multiple sclerosis (MS)

Medicinal cannabis may be used for people with chronic illnesses or in palliative care settings where other medicines are not providing relief.

In Australia, research studies are looking into medical cannabis for use in areas such as:

• obesity
• autism
• endometriosis
• Tourette syndrome
• arthritis
• insomnia

Are there any side effects of medicinal cannabis?

Like all medicines, you can experience side effects when using medicinal cannabis.

Common side effects of medicinal cannabis containing CBD and THC include:

• confusion or a sense of unease
• dizziness or vertigo
• nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea
• dry mouth and changes in appetite
• drowsiness and fatigue
• fever
• extreme happiness

Would I benefit from medicinal cannabis?

Whether you would benefit from medicinal cannabis depends on your current medical condition and symptoms.

If you think that medical cannabis may help in your situation, speak to your doctor, nurse or specialist.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) suggests that a one-month trial should be used as a first treatment plan. This is helpful to see if medicinal cannabis is right for your condition and symptoms.

How can I get medicinal cannabis?

You can only get legal medicinal cannabis products:

• from a registered medical doctor or nurse
• from a specialist
• by taking part in a clinical trial

The first step is to discuss medicinal cannabis with your doctor. Your doctor will consider whether medicinal cannabis might help you. They will decide which medicinal cannabis product to prescribe.

Your doctor will also need to complete forms to get the necessary government approvals.

Once approved, your doctor can write you a prescription. You can take this prescription to a pharmacist to buy your medicinal cannabis.

What does medicinal cannabis cost?

The cost of medicinal cannabis can vary. It may cost thousands of dollars each year. This depends on:

• your illness
• the product
• the dose

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) only subsidises one type of medicinal cannabis, for treating certain types of epilepsy.

How is medicinal cannabis regulated in Australia?

In 2016, the Australian Government legalised access to medicinal cannabis.

Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) regulates the supply of medicinal cannabis. Most medicinal cannabis products are unregistered drugs. To prescribe these products, your doctor must have approval from the TGA. This can be via the Special Access Scheme-B or Authorised Prescriber Scheme.

The laws are different in each state or territory. This may affect whether you can access medicinal cannabis.

You can check the laws in your state by visiting:

• ACT Health
• NSW Government
• Northern Territory Department of Health
• Queensland Health
• SA Health
• Tasmanian Department of Health
• Victoria Department of Health
• Healthy WA

There is a traveller's exemption in Australia. This allows you to bring medicinal cannabis when returning to Australia from travelling, if you:

• have a prescription, and
• don't have more cannabis than the prescription says you will use in 3 months

It is illegal to import medical cannabis through the mail or by courier.

Can I drive after using medicinal cannabis?

Do not drive or operate machinery while using medicinal cannabis that contains THC. THC will impact your ability to drive and can increase your risk of having a car accident. This risk can last for up to 8 hours after taking oral THC products.

CBD can cause drowsiness and fatigue.

Driving when tired or drowsy means you can't concentrate properly on your driving. You may have trouble responding as quickly and as safely as you should. Drowsy driving causes many road crashes.

Driving after taking certain drugs (known as 'drug driving') is a criminal offence. You should discuss the impact of medicinal cannabis on your driving with your doctor. If you test positive for THC on roadside drug testing, you will face legal penalties.

Can I grow my own medicinal cannabis?

Growing cannabis for your own use is illegal except in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). This includes if you have a prescription. In most states, you will face a fine or prison sentence if you are caught:

• growing cannabis
• selling cannabis
• supplying cannabis

In October 2016, the Australian Government changed the law to allow:

• the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes
• organisations to grow cannabis for research
• organisations to grow cannabis to make pharmaceutical products

When should I see my doctor?

Speak to your doctor if you have a medical condition or symptoms, and you think medicinal cannabis may help. Your doctor can give you advice and discuss if medicinal cannabis might be right for you.

Here are some questions you can ask your doctor:

• Can medicinal cannabis help my condition?
• Is medicinal cannabis safe for me to use?
• Will it affect my other medicines?
• Are there any side effects?
• Will I be able to drive, work or care for my children if I take it?

Resources and support

For more information on medicinal cannabis, you can:

• visit the TGA website or phone 1800 020 653
• call Lifeline on 13 11 14 for confidential crisis support
• call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015 for confidential advice
• find out more about cannabis on the Alcohol and Drug Foundation website or email DrugInfo
• visit the Your Room website

Languages other than English

You can read the Cannabis fact sheet from Your Room in Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Hindi or Vietnamese.

Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

For information on drug use for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, you can:

• visit the Positive Choices website for information and resources on drug use
• visit the Alcohol and Drug Foundation for resources and drug facts
• visit Your Room for information on alcohol and drugs

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.