FAQ’s: About

When was medicinal cannabis legalised in Australia?

On 30 October 2016, the Australian government changed our laws on medicinal cannabis. Amendments to the Narcotics Drugs Act 1967 were made to allow for the cultivation and manufacturing of cannabis for medicinal and/or research purposes.

Since then, Scheduling for medicinal cannabis changed from Schedule 9 to:

Schedule 8 – Controlled Medicines: Medicinal cannabis products containing THC
Schedule 4 – Prescription Only Medicines: CBD dominant products where;
a) CBD comprises 98% or more of the total cannabinoid content; and
b) any cannabinoids other than CBD must be only those naturally found in cannabis and comprise 2% or less of the total cannabinoid content.

I am a new patient looking to explore medicinal cannabis as a treatment option. Is medicinal cannabis legal?

Yes, medicinal cannabis can be prescribed by any doctor in Australia.

Before a doctor is able to write you a prescription, doctors are required to attain SAS-B or Authorised Prescriber approval via the TGA. Doctors in certain states may also require relevant State Government approval(s).

You can book in an eligibility screening appointment with our dispensary team here: Initial Screening Consultation

Can I drive with my legally prescribed medicinal cannabis?

Patients should not drive or operate machinery while being treated with medicinal cannabis. In addition measurable concentrations of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol – the main psychoactive substance in cannabis) can be detected in urine many days after the last dose. It may take up to five days for 80 to 90 per cent of the dose to be excreted.

The current drug driving laws continue to discriminate against patients who are on legally prescribed medicinal cannabis and/or could potentially benefit from legally prescribed medicinal cannabis. Drug-driving (with the presence of THC) is a criminal offence, and patients should discuss the implications for safe and legal driving with their doctor.

Do I have to use a vaporiser? If so, can I use any vaporiser?

For patients prescribed flowers in Australia, it is recommended to use a TGA registered device. Currently, there is only one company that has a registered device in Australia – that is Storz and Bickel. You can read more about these devices here: Vaporisers

I want to learn more about plant based medicine but not sure where to start. Where can I go?

To learn more about plant based medicine, check out Honahlee. Honahlee is a patient educational space created to destigmatize and support your journey. Check out Honalee here: Guide to Medicinal Cannabis in Australia. Further to this, the TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration) also provides a great overview for patients on this video link.