A diverse array of legal medical cannabis products are accessible in Australia via prescription. The primary product types are oral, inhaled, edible and topical formulas available in various forms and potencies, addressing a broad range of patient requirements. During a consultation with your doctor, they will discuss medication options to find the right treatment for your specific needs.
Why are there different medical cannabis product types?
A doctor will consider your medical history, current medication, and lifestyle before prescribing any medical cannabis products. This helps determine not only what kind of medicine is best but also which product type is most beneficial to your condition. For instance, patients having difficulty swallowing capsules might prefer cannabis oil, particularly if they prefer alternatives to swallowing capsules or using edible forms of cannabis. Others may have sensitivities to certain ingredients included in products, such as essential oils in topical treatments. For this reason, there are a number of different types of cannabis products available via a prescription to best address unique patient requirements.
Types of cannabis products
The main types of cannabis products include oils, dried flower, inhaled cannabis, cart extracts, topicals, and other oral products. These products are legally available in Australia via a prescription with varying ratios of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabinol (CBD). Although the Therapeutic Goods Administration has only approved a few products listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG), doctors may still prescribe unregistered products if they obtain approval from the TGA. The TGA even provides a list of unregistered products so doctors can make informed decisions about patient care.
Cannabis oils
Cannabis oil is made from cannabis plant extracts that have been infused with carrier oils. The extraction process can happen using several different methods, including CO2, liquid solvent, or butane oil extraction. Extracts are then added to carrier oils so that they are absorbed into the body more easily. The cannabis oil can then be refined or purified to remove certain cannabinoids, which is typically done to produce CBD-only oil products. If cannabis oil only contains CBD, patients should not experience the psychoactive effects commonly associated with THC. Cannabis oil is often available as a standard oil for sublingual consumption or used to create other product types, such as capsules and sprays. One of the main advantages oils have over other treatment options is the ability to titrate in small increments so that patients can find the ideal dose for them, minimising side effects and not consuming more of the medication than needed.
Inhaled cannabis
A cannabis vaporiser is a type of inhalation device used to inhale medical cannabis. Cannabis extract or dried cannabis flowers are heated until they become a vapour, which the patient inhales. This allows patients to quickly receive the bioactive compounds of cannabis without experiencing the harmful effects of smoking. Burning cannabis may actually release carcinogens that could cause lung damage, making vaporisers a safer option. It’s important to note that cannabis intended for ingestion should not be used in a vaporiser. Using cannabis medicines for anything other than their intended administration method may result in incorrect use and dosage, limiting their effectiveness.
Topical cannabis products
Topical cannabis products are applied directly to the skin. They may come in the form of creams, balms, oils, and more. Topical cannabis products are prescribed to deliver targeted relief for a variety of health conditions. They also interact slightly differently with your endocannabinoid system as they enter the bloodstream through your skin’s epidermis to produce a localised effect. Creams and balms are often infused with other products like essential oils, beeswax, and shea butter to provide skincare benefits along with medical treatment.
Edible cannabis products
Edible cannabis products could include wafers, lozenges, and capsules. These products are eaten and absorbed through the digestive system. They are typically highly refined cannabis, either dried or put into capsules for efficient delivery of therapeutic benefits. Edible products range far and wide and offer a discreet form of dosage that may suit patients who experience difficulties with the taste of cannabis or swallowing capsules.
THC vs CBD medical cannabis products
THC and CBD are two cannabinoids commonly found in the cannabis plant. CBD and THC have different effects in the body’s endocannabinoid system. The difference between the two is that THC contains a psychoactive component. That means it interacts with your endocannabinoid system a little differently than CBD. Patients undergoing treatments with THC can experience a ‘high’, which may impair cognitive function. CBD, however, delivers its effects without a psychoactive component. Although both treatments are legal in Australia, there are more restrictions placed on THC treatments because products with higher THC concentrations are scheduled differently than those with lower amounts. Higher THC products are usually categorised as a schedule 8 medication, while lower concentrations as schedule 4 products resulting in fewer restrictions related to dosing amounts and dispensing. Due to the possibility of cognitive impairment, it is illegal to drive in most parts of Australia with THC in your system. It is also against the drug policies of many Australian workplaces, even with a prescription. For this reason, some patients may find CBD-only treatments more suited to their work and home lifestyle. During consultation, your doctor will discuss treatment options with you to determine the best course of action.
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