FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis we will look at each patient on a case by case basis. Normally however, patients should send us their health summary sheet and a referral to info@cannadoc.com.au. Doctors can use their own referral format or ours which can be...

As medicinal cannabis is an unregistered medicine, it is not covered by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), which makes it more expensive than other PBS-approved medications. Most patients can expect to pay between $5 to $10 per day for medicinal cannabis but it...

Driving under the influence of THC is illegal in Australia. Your suitability to drive depends on the type of treatment you have been prescribed, and this should be discussed with your doctor.

Vaporisation results in rapid absorption into the body, with first effects occurring within 90 seconds, reaching a peak after 15-30 minutes, and can last 2-4 hours. This method is best used where a rapid onset of action is desired. Oral preparations/sprays are...

Medicinal cannabis can be taken in a variety of ways depending on the clinical indication. These include: • Oral – e.g. through a spray, oil drops, or capsules • Vaporisation – e.g. by using a specialised medical device that heats the cannabis flowers and causes the...

Most medicinal cannabis products are unregistered medicines and have not been approved by the Department of Health’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Therefore, its prescription is only permitted for use under 2 specific conditions: 1. The treating doctor is...

Most interactions occur when cannabis is combined with medications that can cause drowsiness. As THC can have sedative effects, adding it to other medications can compound the risk of sedation. Drug interactions will be discussed during the assessment.

Most side effects come from its THC component (2). Potential common side effects include: • Drowsiness/fatigue • Dizziness • Dry mouth • Cough/sputum/bronchitis (when smoked) • Anxiety • Nausea • Cognitive effects

It is not advisable to take medical cannabis while pregnant or breast feeding. Also, children, teenagers, and patients with a history of psychosis/schizophrenia, or unstable heart disease should avoid products containing a cannabinoid called THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).

Interestingly, medical cannabis users tend to quickly develop tolerance to its side effects (over a few days), but not to its beneficial effects. So over time, escalation in dose is not generally needed, and often patients can maintain a stable daily dose for many...

There is some evidence in the scientific literature to suggest that cannabis has a low risk profile for addiction, with lower rates of addiction in regular cannabis users than in users of alcohol, tobacco, and even caffeine. Reference: Anthony JC, Warner, LA, and...

The sensitivity of each person’s underlying endocannabinoid system is highly variable. Thus, medicinal cannabis should be considered a personalised medicine. There is no single type of product, dosage, or mode of delivery that is optimal for everyone. We recommend...

Currently in Australia it is illegal to grow cannabis for your own personal use, while acquiring it on the black market can bring with it with a multitude of problems (outside of its illicit status). Firstly, street-sourced products can fluctuate wildly in potency...

A common concern for patients is that medical cannabis will make them feel euphoric or ‘high’. In clinical practice however, this is not what we are trying to achieve. The main goal in using medical cannabis is to achieve good relief of symptoms without producing a...

The cannabis plant produces natural compounds called cannabinoids that can help regulate our body’s endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for many key physiological functions, including mood, memory, energy, metabolism, and immunity. These compounds can be...

1. Anthony JC, Warner, LA, and Kessler RC. Comparative epidemiology of dependence on tobacco, alcohol, controlled sub¬stances, and inhalants: basic find¬ings from the National Comorbidity Survey. Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology 1994;2(3), 244–268. 2....