What is it?
Medicinal cannabis comes from the cannabis plant (also called marijuana). Most medicinal cannabis contains cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). You take medicinal cannabis by mouth (orally). These medicines can be in the form of oils, pills or dried flower products.
Medicinal cannabis can be used to treat the symptoms of some conditions. It can also be used to relieve the side effects of some treatments. You may be given medicinal cannabis to relieve symptoms of chronic pain, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, terminal illness or cancer treatment.
In Australia, only your GP or a specialist can prescribe this type of medicine. Research is still happening about how this type of medicine works.
What will my GP do?
Your GP will carefully assess you before prescribing this type of medication to you. You will only be prescribed this type of medicine if other known treatments for your condition have not worked. Your GP will write a treatment plan for you, this will include:
- Your recommended dose
- A clear and measureble goal (weight gain, less pain, better quality of life)
- Details of the pharmacy where you will get your prescription from
- A clear plan for stopping treatment
- A consent form, signed by you and your GP after you are given information about this kind of medicine
- A schedule for when you should see your GP in the future
Your GP will only prescribe this type of medicine if they think it is right for you. Your GP will need to get permission to prescribe it to you from the relevant authority.
