Medicinal cannabis in Australia: frequently asked questions

Start by talking to a doctor about whether medicinal cannabis is appropriate for your health needs. Doctors usually consider it only after standard treatments haven't managed your symptoms well enough. If your doctor thinks it's appropriate, they need approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to prescribe it, and they stay responsible for monitoring your treatment.

1. Talk to your doctor. They'll do a full assessment, including your medical and mental health history and the treatments you've already tried. If your regular doctor doesn't prescribe medicinal cannabis, you can find a doctor who does.
2. Approval. If medicinal cannabis is suitable, your doctor applies to the TGA, which can take a few days. The TGA website explains the process.
3. Your prescription. Once approved, your doctor sends the prescription to a pharmacy that can dispense it.
4. Follow-up. Check in regularly with your doctor about how you're going and any side effects.

There's no fixed list. Most medicinal cannabis products aren't on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods, so a doctor applies to prescribe for a particular patient when they believe it's clinically appropriate. The TGA publishes clinical guidance for doctors on a small number of conditions. Whether it suits you is a decision for your doctor after a full assessment.

Medicinal cannabis can be legally prescribed by doctors in every state and territory, with some differences in state laws.

Recreational cannabis is illegal in most states and territories. The ACT is the exception: since 2020, adults there can grow up to two plants each (four per household) and possess up to 50 grams of dried cannabis.

Medicinal cannabis prescribed by a doctor in Australia is legal. Cannabis ordered online or obtained without a prescription is illegal.

Illegal products may:

• never arrive, leaving buyers out of pocket
• contain too much or too little THC or CBD
• be contaminated with undisclosed or dangerous ingredients
• be past their use-by date.

Legally prescribed products are regulated to Australian quality and safety standards, must contain known amounts of THC and CBD, must be free of moulds, pesticides, heavy metals and other contaminants, and are prescribed by a doctor who monitors your progress.

Medicinal cannabis products can be taken in several ways, including:

• swallowing oils, liquid capsules or tablets
• spraying into the mouth or under the tongue
• heating it and inhaling the vapour (vaporising).

The strength of THC and CBD in an oil is measured in milligrams per millilitre (mg/ml). Doses vary from person to person, so always follow your doctor's advice on how much to take and how often.

Like all medicines, medicinal cannabis can have side effects. They vary with the person, the product and the dose.

Known side effects include fatigue and sedation, dizziness, confusion, nausea and vomiting, changes in appetite, dry mouth and diarrhoea.

Products containing THC have also been associated with feeling 'high', anxiety, depression, confusion, hallucinations, paranoia and psychosis.

Side effects are often dose-dependent, so follow your doctor's dosing advice and tell them as soon as possible if you feel unwell. If a side effect is serious, call 000.

Cannabis is a flowering plant that people have used for thousands of years, including as a medicine (medicinal cannabis), as food (such as hemp seeds and oils), and as fibre for clothing, textiles and building materials.

Medicinal cannabis is a cannabis product prescribed by a doctor for a medical condition. It includes pharmaceutical preparations such as oils, tinctures, capsules and other extracts, as well as dried cannabis flower.

Cannabinoids are compounds that interact with the body's endocannabinoid system. The body makes its own (endocannabinoids), and cannabis plants contain more than 100 others (phytocannabinoids). The two best known are THC and CBD.

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the compound in cannabis that's psychoactive: it's what produces the euphoric feeling of being 'high'.

CBD (cannabidiol) is a compound in cannabis that isn't psychoactive and doesn't produce a 'high'.

Marijuana is the common name for recreational cannabis. It's unregulated, so its quality, strength and safety aren't guaranteed.

Hemp is a variety of cannabis with very low levels of THC. It's grown mainly for industrial uses such as textiles, food and building materials.

CBD oil is a cannabis oil with a high proportion of cannabidiol. It's extracted from the flowers, leaves and stalks of the plant. Hemp seed oil is different: it's pressed from the seeds and contains little or no cannabinoids.

No. CBD oils differ in their amounts and ratio of THC and CBD, and in whether they contain other compounds from the plant. They're usually described as:

• CBD isolate: CBD only, with the other plant compounds removed.
• Broad spectrum: other plant compounds kept, with THC removed.
• Full spectrum: all the plant's compounds kept, including THC.

Most states make it an offence to drive with any THC in your system, even with a prescription. Ask your doctor what your product contains.

Terpenes are aromatic compounds found in cannabis and many other plants. They give different cannabis varieties their distinct smells and flavours.

Flavonoids are compounds found in plants, fruits and vegetables that affect colour, smell and flavour. Some are found only in cannabis and are known as cannaflavins.

The entourage effect is a theory that the compounds in cannabis (cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids) may act differently together than on their own. It's still being researched and isn't established.

Besides THC and CBD, cannabis contains many minor cannabinoids, including CBG (cannabigerol), CBC (cannabichromene), CBN (cannabinol), THCV (tetrahydrocannabivarin) and CBDV (cannabidivarin). Research into them is at an early stage.

Usually not. Most clinics and telehealth services in this directory take bookings directly. Some will ask for a summary of your medical history or a letter from your regular GP, so have that handy. If you would like a Medicare rebate for a specialist, you will generally need a GP referral.

Yes, any registered medical practitioner in Australia can apply to prescribe through the TGA, but some GPs choose not to. If your GP is not comfortable prescribing, a doctor or clinic in this directory who already prescribes regularly can assess you.

Telehealth is fastest and works anywhere in Australia, which helps in regional areas or if getting out is hard. An in-person appointment suits people who want a physical examination, prefer face-to-face care, or need a doctor who can coordinate with local specialists. Use the filters to pick either.

Fees vary by practice and most medicinal cannabis consults are privately billed. Medicinal cannabis products are generally not subsidised under the PBS. Ask the practice about consultation fees, follow-up costs and medication pricing before you book.

No. The doctor assesses your health history, current medications and goals, and decides whether medicinal cannabis is clinically appropriate. Go in ready for an honest conversation about what has and has not worked for you.

Driving laws differ by state, and most make it an offence to drive with any THC in your system, even with a prescription. Ask your doctor what your medicine contains and what that means for driving where you live.

No. AltMed is an independent directory and education resource. We do not provide medical advice, book appointments or prescribe. Contact practices directly.