Steps to Access Medical Marijuana in Brisbane
- Zenda Healthcare
- Jan 29
- 4 min read
Medical marijuana is considered legal in Brisbane, Australia. They were legalized in 2016. However, to acquire medical marijuana, you need to follow certain steps. Though the laws vary from state to state and territory to territory, the blog specifically discusses how to get access to medical marijuanas Brisbane.
Table Of Contents:
Accessing Medical Marijuana in Brisbane
Based on your medical condition, your doctor will first determine whether medical marijuanas Bisbane is suitable for you as an adjunct therapy. Adjunct therapy is the therapy recommended by your practitioner alongside your primary treatment. The doctor will ask you for an informed consent sign, which states that you completely understand and are obliged to the fact that you cannot drive or operate heavy machinery when taking medical marijuana, as it contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
After completely assessing your condition, if your doctor believes that medical marijuana would be effective in your health condition, they will contact the Commonwealth Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for approval to allow the supply of the recommended medical marijuana.
Additionally, doctors also have to arrange a pharmacy to dispense the medication to you.
If there are any concerns regarding the usage or buying of marijuana, you can freely discuss the concerns with your doctor.
Accessing Medical Marijuana for Rural and Remote Patients
If you live in a rural or semi-rural area in Brisbane or nearby it, such as Belmont or Bunya (semi-rural with lots of greenery and large residential lots), you have to access through a general practitioner (GP) or a specialist. With the help of Medical Marijuanas Goldcoast specialist consultations through a telehealth service, you can get access to medical marijuana.
For remote patients, your general practitioner will prescribe medical marijuana to a specialist (if there is a specialist involved in your care).
You or your doctor have to arrange a local pharmacy to dispense medical marijuana to you. In case there is no pharmacy available, your doctor has to fulfill this role.
Cost of Medical Marijuana
All medical marijuana is not on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), except one, which is Epidyolex. Epidyolex is the first and only FDA-approved prescription. It's a cannabinoid medication used in the treatment of Dravet's syndrome (and epilepsy syndrome). Being not listed in PBS means that patients have to pay the costs of purchasing medical marijuana.
The cost depends on lots of factors, such as the particular medical marijuana you are buying, the source it's coming from, shipping expenses, custom fees, and dispensing fees charged by the dispensing pharmacy.
Currently in Australia, the government does not regulate the prices for the supply of approved products.
3 Things to Consider When Taking Medical Marijuana.
Don't Drive
The use of Medical Marijuanas Ipswich has been shown to affect a person’s ability to drive. Unlike other substances such as alcohol, medical marijuana has no specific concentration of cannabis that can be identified as an indicator of impairment.
As medical marijuana contains THC, the main chemical that is responsible for medical marijuana's mind-altering effects, driving is considered illegal in such a state.
Rules for School-aged Children
In this case, the patient is at school; they can take prescribed medical marijuana in the same manner as other medicines.
Medical marijuana is taken twice daily, which means it's highly unlikely that the patient has to take medication to school.
Also, remember that medical marijuana should not be given in any emergency.
Traveling With Medicinal Marijuana
If you’re travelling in other states of Australia, meaning from Brisbane to another state or territory, you need to ensure that the medical marijuana your doctor has prescribed you holds relevant commonwealth approval. Commonwealth approval is required, as each state or territory has slightly different legislation, and you have to abide by their rules.
All medical marijuana products you’re using must be labelled by a pharmacist/pharmacy or doctor.
If international travellers are entering Australia, they should refer to the Commonwealth Department of Health, Therapeutic Goods Administration website. There you can get advice on the legal requirements for medicinal cannabis importation and traveller exemption.
Understand the Legal Framework
As a patient using medical marijuana, you should understand and adhere to the legal framework:
Possession limits: You can only possess the limit of medical marijuana as prescribed by your doctor and should always carry the proof of your prescription in case you are travelling carrying it somewhere or purchasing it.
Storage Usage: Always store or keep your medication in a safe place and use it only as directed by your doctor. It's important to understand that the prescribed cannabis should not be shared with other family members or friends in any case.
To carry medical marijuana in a legal and safe manner, you need to stay informed about the changes in medical marijuana laws in Australia.
Stay Informed and Updated
The field of Medical Marijuanas Sunshine Coast or anywhere in Australia is not restricted or limited; it's ever-growing, and new research is continuously going on that assesses several aspects of taking medical marijuana.
It's best to ensure that you timely contact your doctor to understand what possible treatment for your condition and if taking medical marijuana is important, what is the safest way to do that.
Additionally, to use medical marijuana in a beneficial and safe manner, attend information sessions read about the latest research going around the industry, and stay up-to-date with any changes happening.
Conclusion
Accessing medical marijuana in Brisbane requires several precautions and steps mentioned in the blog. First, the doctor will understand whether you actually need marijuana or not as an adjunct therapy, and in case they feel that it's required, they will recommend you alongside a prescription and arrange the dispensary for you. By understanding the legal framework of getting marijuana, you can access it in a better way and make informed decisions about using it better.
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