Medicinal cannabis: Information for patients
Find out how to legally access medicinal cannabis in appropriate circumstances.
If you’re wondering whether medicinal cannabis might be right for your condition, your first step is to have a conversation with your doctor.
This page provides information about how patients can access medicinal cannabis in appropriate circumstances.
Access to medicinal cannabis
Access to medicinal cannabis can only be arranged through an Australian-registered health practitioner. The video below provides an overview of accessing medicinal cannabis for patients.
If your treating practitioner determines that it is appropriate for you to administer cannabis by vaping, you will need a medicinal cannabis vaping device. There are some TGA approved medicinal cannabis vaping devices that are available through pharmacies. These devices should be used to vape cannabis wherever possible. But your treating practitioner can apply to the TGA for access to an unapproved medicinal cannabis vaping device where none of the approved devices are clinically suitable for you.
Transcript
So you’ve heard about medicinal cannabis.
Maybe you’re wondering if it's right for your condition.
Speak to your doctor about your health concerns.
Your doctor will consider treatment options...
and they may decide that a medicinal cannabis product is suitable for your needs.
Most medicinal cannabis products are not approved medicines in Australia.
This means the Therapeutic Goods Administration (or TGA) has not assessed them for safety, quality or effectiveness.
But sometimes there are no approved medicines that meet a patient’s needs.
That’s why any doctor can apply to the TGA for special access to unapproved medicines such as medicinal cannabis.
They’ll hear back within two business days.
Some doctors have applied to become Authorised Prescribers, which means they don’t need approval from the TGA for each individual patient.
If your doctor gives you a prescription for a medicinal cannabis product, you will need to take it to a pharmacy.
Medicinal cannabis products aren’t stocked in most pharmacies, so your pharmacist may need to order it in.
You should also know that medicinal cannabis products are not subsidised through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme; the supplier sets the cost.
Beware of buying online.
You could break the law and get an unsafe product.
Legal access to medicinal cannabis means getting a prescription from your doctor and filling the prescription at your pharmacy.
If you have any questions, speak with your doctor.
You can also find out more on the TGA website.
Additional information and resources
The TGA has a range of consumer resources about medicinal cannabis:
- Guidance for the use of medicinal cannabis in Australia: Patient information
- TGA topics blog: Introduction to medicinal cannabis regulation in Australia
- TGA topics blog: Consumer story: Caitlin and medicinal cannabis
- Medicinal cannabis: Importation and the traveller’s exemption
- Access to medicinal cannabis: Frequently asked questions
If you have any other questions about medicinal cannabis products, please talk to your doctor for advice.