Information about medical cannabis in Australia.

Medical cannabis in Australia refers to the use of cannabis and cannabis-derived products for therapeutic purposes under specific regulations and guidelines. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is responsible for overseeing the regulation of medicinal cannabis in Australia.

In Australia, medical cannabis is primarily available through the Special Access Scheme (SAS) or the Authorised Prescriber Scheme. The SAS allows healthcare practitioners to request access to unapproved therapeutic goods, including medical cannabis, for individual patients who meet specific eligibility criteria. The Authorised Prescriber Scheme enables medical practitioners with expertise in a particular area to prescribe medical cannabis to patients without seeking individual approval from the TGA.

To be eligible for medical cannabis treatment in Australia, patients must have a medical condition for which conventional treatments have been inadequate or not tolerated. The conditions commonly considered for medical cannabis treatment include chronic pain, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, multiple sclerosis-related spasticity, and epilepsy. However, the use of medical cannabis may extend to other conditions on a case-by-case basis.

Patients seeking access to medical cannabis products need to consult with a healthcare professional who can assess their condition and determine if medical cannabis is an appropriate treatment option. The prescribing doctor must consider the patient's medical history, current medications, potential risks and benefits, and the available evidence supporting the use of medical cannabis for the specific condition.

In Australia, medical cannabis products are regulated as Schedule 8 controlled substances, reflecting their potential for abuse and dependence. Licensed Australian producers manufacture and supply medical cannabis products, which undergo strict quality control measures to ensure safety and consistency.

It's important to note that regulations surrounding medical cannabis can vary across Australian states and territories. Patients and healthcare professionals should familiarise themselves with the specific guidelines and requirements applicable in their jurisdiction.

Useful websites for information on medicinal cannabis in Australia

• Therapeutic Goods Administration – Special Access Scheme and Authorised Prescriber portal

• Therapeutic Goods Administration – Clinical Guidance documents

• The Office of Drug Control – list of manufacturers and suppliers

• NSW Health

• Queensland Health

• Victoria Health

• WA Health

• SA Health

• Tasmania Health

• ACT Health

• NT Health

• Royal Australian College of General Practitioners position statement

• Royal Australasian College of Physicians statement

• Australian Medical Association statement

• Lambert Initiative

• Freshleaf Analytics

• NPS MedicineWise