How medicinal cannabis is helping Australians heal

This is a commercial collaboration with Cannatrek.

The medicinal properties of the cannabis plant have been known for thousands of years. Yet despite its being used as a trusted medicine for millennia, many countries criminalised the plant in the 20th century, consequently harming its reputation.

Thankfully today, we know more than we knew back then. According to the leading Australian medicinal cannabis company Cannatrek, governments worldwide are now beginning to change their stance on cannabis and embrace its medicinal possibilities, a shift in perspective that has already benefited the lives of many Australians.

In December 2020, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) announced their decision to down-schedule certain low dose cannabidiol (CBD) preparations from Schedule 4 (Prescription Medicine) to Schedule 3 (Pharmacist Only Medicine).

Ever since, there has been a lot of talk about the plant's appearance on pharmacy shelves and its potential to offer relief for a number of conditions. Even so, many patients, practitioners and pharmacists alike still have a lot of questions, and rightly so.

As Australian medical cannabis prescriptions continue to soar, it's important to properly understand why legal cannabis markets are evolving so rapidly around the world, and why it matters.

So, here are a few things you may want to know about medicinal cannabis in Australia, and how patients, practitioners and pharmacists can access its healing potential.

Simply put, medicinal cannabis is any cannabis-based product prescribed to treat the symptoms of a medical condition. As reported by Cannatrek, cannabis contains over 60 compounds, but the main cannabinoids that interact with the human body are Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD).

In addition, there are hundreds of phytocannabinoids in each and every plant which, when used separately, will have different effects on an individual's system.

There are a number of conditions for which medicinal cannabis has shown promise as a treatment option. Conditions include, but are not limited to:

Whilst research into the efficacy and effects of medicinal cannabis is increasing, it is currently in its early days. To learn more about how medicinal cannabis may aid in the alleviation of certain psychological and physical symptoms, head to Cannatrek's conditions list.

When it comes to how you take medicinal cannabis safely, there are a couple of different options. Some take the medicine orally through extract oils or a sublingual wafer, while others choose to inhale the cannabis via vaporising dried plant material.

Oral administration

When consumed orally, Cannatrek explains that cannabinoids are absorbed from the digestive system into the bloodstream, resulting in slower absorption when compared to inhalation. Onset of the medication can thus take anywhere between 60 to 180 minutes, with the maximum effects experienced between two and three hours after ingestion.

Inhalation

When medicinal cannabis is inhaled, cannabinoids are absorbed from the lungs into the bloodstream within minutes. The cannabinoids are then transported to the brain, where they reach a peak concentration within 15 minutes. According to Cannatrek, this correlates with the peak of the psychological and physiological effects experienced.

As with any medication, it's important that both practitioners and patients understand the safety of medicinal cannabis, as well as the different ways it can be administered, before prescribing or taking the remedy.

While it is now legal to prescribe medicinal cannabis in Australia, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has a set of criteria that you must meet to be eligible for this particular kind of treatment. Your doctor must then apply on your behalf via the Special Access Scheme (SAS-B) and provide medical justification for doing so.

How do I access medicinal cannabis in Australia?

Getting your first script for medicinal cannabis in Australia, and having that script filled, looks a little different. This is because the prescription of medicinal cannabis is still restricted by the Department of Health's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), therefore requiring an application to be submitted by your doctor on your behalf. If you feel the remedy may offer you some relief, your medicinal cannabis journey can start today with the help of Cannatrek.

As an independent grower and distributor of medicinal cannabis products based in Australia, Cannatrek is dedicated to guiding individuals through the process of accessing medicinal cannabis and receiving treatment for their condition.

If your current treatment strategy is not working for you, Cannatrek may be able to help you unlock an alternative, or complementary treatment. For more information go to www.cannatrek.com/

This is a commercial collaboration with Cannatrek.