How to Get Medical Cannabis Prescription in Australia

REVIEWED BY ESSENCE DISPENSARY TEAM: Dharni Khatri | Pharmacist

How to Get Medical Cannabis –
A Step-by-Step Guide for Australians
If you want to find out how to get medical cannabis in Australia, how it works and what it is, we invite you to read today’s blog post, which contains all the information you require. For new patients who would prefer to speak to someone directly about their medical cannabis eligibility, please feel free to complete and submit our questionnaire before you continue reading this guide.

A Very Brief History

In February 2016, the federal government voted to amend the Narcotic Drugs Act so that cannabis could legally be cultivated in Australia for medical and scientific use. Since then - between July 2016 and December 2023 to be exact - over 1.4 million approvals for applications requesting access to medical cannabis have been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Applications for (and approvals of) medical cannabis access are predicted to continue rising in the future as more doctors and patients become aware of it as a therapeutic option.

In the next section, we define medical cannabis, after which we discuss the steps you need to take if you want to get medical cannabis in Australia today.

What Is Medical Cannabis and How Does It Work?

We’re going to start with a concise definition of medical cannabis, together with a brief overview of how it works, before we provide comprehensive answers to questions such as “How do I get medical cannabis?”, “Can you get medical cannabis oil in Australia?” and “How to get my medical cannabis card?” This is to ensure that you understand what it is and what it can do for you.

Medical Cannabis:

A Definition

Medical cannabis in Australia is cannabis that is prescribed by a doctor for the relief of physical or mental symptoms. However, if the question uppermost in your mind is “How do I get medical cannabis?”, the first thing you need to know about it is this: in Australia, medical cannabis is not a first-line treatment. In other words, it is normally only prescribed when conventional pharmaceutical therapies have proven ineffective. This means you may need to try more conventional avenues of treatment first, although this is certainly not always the case.

In the next section, we define medical cannabis, after which we discuss the steps you need to take if you want to get medical cannabis in Australia today.

If the question on your mind is “Can you get whole plant medical cannabis in Australia?”, the answer is yes. There are two main types of medical cannabis in the country: pharmaceutical products such as capsules, oils, balms, sprays and lozenges, and standardised herbal (plant-based) products. A doctor can explain the various options to you and help you figure out which type is best for your condition. You are also welcome to contact us for personal assistance. Every member of our team is a knowledgeable professional who loves to share what they have learned with our patients.

Recreational vs. Medical Cannabis

In Australia, medical cannabis is most commonly used to treat chronic pain, various symptoms that are associated with cancer and symptoms of epilepsy. While the recreational use of cannabis in the country is still illegal in all states and territories, with the exception of the ACT, it is perfectly legal to use medical cannabis if it is prescribed by a licensed doctor who has obtained the necessary approval.

How Medical Cannabis Works

Cannabis plants contain many cannabinoids of which two are of most interest in a medical setting: tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).

The first of these substances is the main psychoactive component of cannabis that is responsible for making people feel high when using it.
CBD is the second most abundant cannabinoid found in cannabis plants but is normally extracted from hemp plants in commercial operations.
These substances have pain-relieving properties and other therapeutic benefits to offer.

Eligibility Criteria:

Are You Eligible for Medical Cannabis?

Now you know what medical cannabis is and what it is most commonly used for in Australia, it’s time to address the question of how to get medical cannabis if you need it. Firstly, you will need to determine whether you are eligible: do you meet the criteria for treatment with cannabis or cannabis-derived products in Australia? The answer to this question is most easily answered by someone with knowledge of your medical history and current issues. The type of patients most often prescribed medical cannabis in Australia are people who have had no success with conventional treatments or who suffer from chronic pain that is not easily manageable with pharmaceutical products.

The best way to proceed if you want to get medical cannabis but are unsure whether you are eligible is to consult a medical professional, as we explain in detail in the next section. A doctor can examine you if necessary, review your treatment history and tell you whether you may be eligible for treatment with medical cannabis right now. Whether you visit your regular doctor or a local specialist is up to you, but in either case, don't forget to ask as many questions as you can think of.

How to Get a Medical Cannabis Prescription in Australia

If you came here looking for a step-by-step guide on how to get medical cannabis, this is the section you have been waiting for. If you have a condition that either doesn’t respond well to conventional pharmaceutical products or is not suitable for treatment by such products, you may be able to get medical cannabis in Australia by following these steps:

Making an Appointment to See a Doctor
Only qualified healthcare professionals can help you get medical cannabis.
Discussing Your Symptoms Frankly
You need to be completely honest with the doctor you visit so that he or she has all the relevant facts to hand when deciding on the best type of treatment.
Obtaining the Prescription
Having evaluated your condition and medical history, you may now be given a prescription.

Reviewing Your History
The doctor will want to review your medical history before making a decision. However, it is important to note that there are some conditions in which medicinal cannabis is not suitable. Be sure to discuss your medical history with your doctor thoroughly to avoid any adverse effects or complications.

Having successfully completed our ‘How to Get a Medical Cannabis Prescription Steps’, you can visit our dispensary to have your prescription filled. If you’re not in the area, send us your script, and we will deliver your medical cannabis.

Using Medical Cannabis Safely and Effectively

When you get medical cannabis, in whatever form it may be prescribed, it is important to follow your doctor’s instructions regarding dosage and frequency of use. If prescribed capsules, just take them as advised. If prescribed whole plant cannabis, invest in a dry herb vaporiser so you can inhale the beneficial plant compounds without the chemicals produced when burning medical cannabis. For more information, please visit the FAQs and Blogs sections of our website.

FAQs

If you don’t have time to visit our site FAQs section, here are a couple of the most commonly asked questions about medical cannabis, together with our answers.

How long does it take to get a prescription filled?

At a specialist dispensary like our own, we have a range of medications available for pick up on the same day. Any special orders requested usually arrive within 24 to 48 hours from the time that the order is placed. Feel free to give us a call to discuss if we have your prescription item in stock.

What products are available under medical cannabis laws?

At the time of writing, there are several types of medical cannabis products commonly prescribed in Australia. These include dried flower for vaporising, capsules, sublingual oils and sprays, pastilles and inhalers, topical balms and patches.

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How To Get Medical Cannabis Prescription In Australia