State-by-State breakdown

Prescribing medicinal cannabis in your State

In most States, all Australian registered medical practitioners can prescribe medicinal cannabis. The prescribing practitioner must have the expertise to treat the condition for which medicinal cannabis is being prescribed.

Gain expertise:

For FREE online RACGP learning you can register at the Little Green Pharma Medical Portal here and take the "Introduction to prescribing medicinal cannabis" course (normally $179.95).

Taking a look at Schedule 8 medicinal cannabis:

'Schedule 8' (S8) medicines (Controlled Drug) require different approvals to 'Schedule 4’ medicines (Prescription Only). The below focuses solely on the S8 prescription process in Australia.

Who can prescribe?

Any Australian registered medical practitioner can prescribe.

What is required in the application?

- The patient is under the age of 16 or is participating in a drug treatment program in which case State Health approval is also required.

For more information

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/pharmaceutical/cannabismedicines/Pages/default.aspx

State Health contact details:
NSW Cannabis Medicines Advisory Service
Phone: (02) 4923 6200 (see COVID-19 update above)
Email: HNELHD-CMAS@health.nsw.gov.au

Who can prescribe?

Any Australian registered medical practitioner can prescribe.

What is required in the application?

● TGA approval is required.

● Prescribers who have obtained authority from TGA and are treating a patient with a medicine in the controlled drug category (Schedule 8) for two months or more must submit a ‘Notification’ to the NT Chief Health Officer.

● When applying for LGP Classic CBD 50, a Schedule 4 medication, State Health approval is not required (TGA approval only).

For more information

https://health.nt.gov.au/professionals/medicines-and-poisons-control2/therapeutic-medicines-containing-cannabinoids-medicinal-cannabis

State Health contact details:
Northern Territory Department of Health

87 Mitchell Street, Darwin NT 0800

Phone: (08) 8999 2400

Mail: PO Box 40596, Casuarina NT 0811

Who can prescribe?

Any Australian registered medical practitioner can prescribe.

What is required in the application?

- The patient is under the age of 16 or is participating in a drug treatment program in which case State Health approval is also required.

For more information

https://www.health.qld.gov.au/public-health/topics/medicinal-cannabis/prescribing

State Health contact details:

Healthcare Approvals and Regulation Unit (HARU)

Telephone: (07) 3708 5264

Email: HARU@health.qld.gov.au

Who can prescribe?

Specialists can prescribe and any Australian registered medical practitioner can prescribe with a letter of support from a Specialist.

What is required in the application?

● TGA and State Health approvals are required.

● GPs can prescribe but require a letter of support from a Specialist as part of the application.

● When applying for LGP Classic CBD 50, a Schedule 4 medication, State Health approval is not required (TGA approval only).

For more information

https://www.health.act.gov.au/health-professionals/pharmaceutical-services/controlled-medicines/medicinal-cannabis

State Health contact details:

Pharmaceutical Services Section of the Health Protection Service

Phone: (02) 5124 9208.

Who can prescribe?

Any Australian registered medical practitioner can prescribe.

What is required in the application?

● TGA and State Health approvals are required, unless:

- The patient is over the age of 70 or in palliative care, in which case State Health approval is not required

- Please note, the patient can be put on a 60-day trial prior to seeking State Health approval, IF they are not on any other S8 medications

● When applying for LGP Classic CBD 50, a Schedule 4 medication, State Health approval is not required (TGA approval only).

For more information

https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/conditions/medicines/medicinal+cannabis/medicinal+cannabis+patient+access+in+south+australia

State Health contact details:

Drugs of Dependence Unit

Phone: 1300 652 584

Fax: 1300 658 447

Email: HealthDrugsofDependenceUnit@sa.gov.au

Who can prescribe?

Any Australian registered medical practitioner can prescribe.

What is required in the application?

● TGA and State Health approvals are required, unless

- The patient is in a nursing home or in palliative care, in which case State Health approval is not required

● When applying for LGP Classic CBD 50, a Schedule 4 medication, State Health approval is not required (TGA approval only).

For more information

https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/public-health/drugs-and-poisons/medicinal-cannabis

Contact details:

Office of Medicinal Cannabis
Department of Health and Human Services

Phone:+ 61 3 9096 7768

Email: medicinal.cannabis@dhhs.vic.gov.au

Location: 50 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000

Who can prescribe?

Any Australian registered medical practitioner can prescribe.

Note: GPs are required to seek Specialist approval when prescribing for children under the age of 16 and for patients who are drug dependent or have a history of drug use.

What is required in the application?

● TGA and State Health approvals are required.

● When applying for LGP Classic CBD 50, a Schedule 4 medication, State Health approval is not required (TGA approval only).

For more information

https://ww2.health.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/Cannabis-based-products

State Health contact details:

Medicines and Poisons Regulation Branch

Mailing address: PO Box 8172, Perth Business Centre, WA 6849

Phone: 08 9222 6883

Email: MPRB@health.wa.gov.au

Who can prescribe?

ONLY Specialists can prescribe.

What is required in the application?

ONLY Specialists can prescribe and require Tasmanian Government’s Certificate of Approval (print and email application to TMAAC Secretariat, tmaac@health.tas.gov.au OR mail to Level 2/22 Elizabeth St, Hobart) along with TGA approval (via the online portal).

For more information

https://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/psbtas/publications/medical_cannabis/medical_cannabis_controlled_access_scheme

State Health Contact details:

Phone: 1300 13 55 13
TMAAC Secretariat email: tmaac@health.tas.gov.au

Department of Health and Human Services
GPO Box 125
Hobart, TAS 7001