In 2016, the Australian Government legalised access to some plant-based medicines. It is regulated by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA).
In order to prescribe legal plant medicine for patients, Australian GP’s must seek approval from the TGA, or work as an authorised prescriber.
At Ananda Clinics, our general practitioners are approved authorised prescribers with authority from the TGA.
TGA Advice on medicinal cannabis access for consumers
To be eligible for prescription for plant medicine, a patient must have a chronic condition, defined as persisting for three months or longer, and must have tried at least one other treatment under the direction of a medical professional.
You do not need a referral to be eligible.
With varying state laws across Australia, patients should check the laws and access to medicinal cannabis in their state by visiting:
NSW Government
Northern Territory Department of Health
Queensland Health
SA Health
Tasmanian Department of Health
Victoria Department of Health
Healthy WA
Ananda Clinics’ treatment plans target the body’s imbalances by stimulating the endocannabinoid system (ECS) to help relieve some symptoms associated with chronic illness, inflammation, imbalances and disturbances in the mind and body.
With over 100+ known phytocannabinoids, medicine is prescribed using The Ananda Way to find the ideal ratio and balance of these compounds to target individual symptoms.
Medical cannabinoids often focus on three main components:
THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) teh·truh·hai·drow·ka·nuh·buh·nol
Known as the psychoactive cannabinoid, this compound influences feelings of euphoria and binds to receptor sites concentrated in the brain. This cannabinoid is used to influence pain, mood, and other emotional responses.
In very low doses, THC can help to manage feelings of anxiety, and may have a positive impact on sleep without having an intoxicating effect on the patient.
CBD (Cannabidiol) ka·nuh·bi·dee·ol CBD
The most widely accepted and known cannabinoid is non-intoxicating and impacts receptor sites found primarily in the body and influences everything from anxiety, insomnia and pain, to arthritis, inflammation, and multiple sclerosis. CBD acts to boost Anandamide levels.
Terpene tur·peen
The essential oils of plant matter, terpenes are naturally occurring compounds that are responsible for aroma, flavour, and colours. All plants contain terpenes and in medical cannabis work in tandem with cannabinoids to enhance or moderate therapeutic impacts on the endocannabinoid system.
The endocannabinoid System (ECS) is considered our ‘Master Regulator’ and plays a vital role orchestrating balance and function in the brain, endocrine and immune systems in all humans.
Our ECS influences many critical functions in the body, including: sleep, pain, inflammation, immune responses and emotional processing. Essentially, it enables optimal human performance.
Ananda Clinics’ treatment plans target the body’s imbalances by stimulating the endocannabinoid system to help relieve some symptoms associated with chronic illness, imbalances and disturbances in the mind and body.
Your ECS is made up of a network of chemical signals and cellular receptors, CB1 and CB2, that are regulated by naturally produced molecules called endocannabinoids.
These molecules can also be replicated.
Endocannabinoid medicine involves the use of THC and CBD to recreate the natural synergy of the body’s innate healing response, and when successful results in the body being able to maintain homeostasis without the support of phytocannabinoids.
This is natural medicine returning balance, so we can live without the need for ongoing treatment and begin to thrive.
Anandamide is found in virtually all tissue of every living being. It’s our main neurotransmitter, our primary endocannabinoid, and activates the ECS by binding to cannabinoid receptors. Anandamide is stimulated by THC and CBD to facilitate the replication of the body’s own molecules and moderate the endo-system.
CBD prevents the breakdown of Anandamide, therefore boosting the levels of this endocannabinoid, to promote balance and homeostasis.
THC acts in replacement of Anandamide by attaching to the CB1 receptor. This stimulates the ECS into action whilst CBD supports the natural levels of anandamide in the brain.
Anandamide is taken from the Sanskrit word ANANDA meaning “joy, bliss, delight”
This is the Ananda Way, to balance Anandamide signalling in the body and brain – naturally, through plant medicine, healthy lifestyle choices, and connected relationships to ourselves and others – so that we are able to flourish.
How is plant medicine different from someone using it recreationally?
In 2016, the Australian Government legalised medicinal cannabis, it is regulated by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
The only way to access legal plant medicine is through a pharmacy with a doctor’s prescription. Recreational use remains illegal across all federal, state, and territories in Australia.
In order to prescribe plant medicine for patients, Australian GP’s must seek approval from the TGA, or become an authorised prescriber.
At Ananda Clinics, our General Practitioners are approved authorised prescribers with authority from the TGA.
The key to understanding the impact of plant medicine is found in the body’s Endocannabinoid System (ECS), also known as our ‘Master Regulator’, and we all have one.
Your ECS regulates critical functions like inflammatory responses, sleep, pain, immune function, learning, memory, and emotional processing
The Ananda Clinics website is here to provide education and information, without implying medical advice, or recommendation for the use of cannabis as medicine or adult use purposes.
Medical cannabis remains strictly regulated by the Australian TGA as it is not a registered therapeutic agent due to the lack of research and evidence in support of its efficacy or potential side effects.
If you think medical cannabis may be right for you, book an appointment with one of
our doctors to find out more.
To be eligible for prescription a patient must have a chronic condition, defined as persisting for three months or longer, and must have tried at least one other treatment under the direction of a medical professional. If this describes your situation you are likely eligible for plant medicine.
If you would like to discuss your situation further, please make an appointment with one of our GPs. You do not need a referral to be eligible for plant medicine.
In Australia, legal medicinal cannabis is only available through the TGA special access scheme which requires an application process or through an authorised cannabinoid prescriber.
At Ananda Clinics, our General Practitioners are approved authorised prescribers with authority from the TGA.
To be eligible for prescription medical cannabis, a patient must have a chronic condition, defined as persisting for 3 months or longer, and must have tried at least one other treatment under the direction of a medical professional.
If you aren’t currently eligible but have a chronic condition, consider speaking to your GP about getting a referral for plant medicine.
Typically in Australia, the regulated forms include;
A number of other uses are not yet available for legal consumption, including: suppositories, edibles, topicals and tinctures.
Plant medicine is largely regarded as safe and has a significant safety profile with zero recorded deaths.
Despite its relative safety plant medicine may still produce side-effects.
Potential Side Effects & Safety
SIDE-EFFECTS OF MEDICAL CANNABIS
| Side-effect | Most Common | Common | Rare |
| Drowsiness/ fatigue | ✓ | ||
| Dizziness | ✓ | ||
| Dry mouth | ✓ | ||
| Cough, phlegm, bronchitis (smoking only) | ✓ | ||
| Anxiety | ✓ | ||
| Nausea | ✓ | ||
| Cognitive effects | ✓ | ||
| Euphoria | ✓ | ||
| Blurred vision | ✓ | ||
| Headache | ✓ | ||
| Orthostatic hypotension | ✓ | ||
| Toxic psychosis/ paranoia | ✓ | ||
| Depression | ✓ | ||
| Ataxia/dyscoordination | ✓ | ||
| Tachycardia (after titration) Cannabis hyperemesis | ✓ | ||
| Diarrhoea | ✓ |
Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding, suffer from liver disease, heart disease, lung disease or a family or personal history of mental health disorders such as; bi-polar, schizophrenia, psychosis or substance abuse are at greater risk of negative side effects.
DISCLAIMER: The Ananda Clinics website is here to provide education and information, without implying medical advice, or the recommendation for the use of cannabis as medicine or adult use purposes. Medical cannabis remains strictly regulated by the Australian TGA as it is not a registered therapeutic agent due to the lack of research and evidence in support of its efficacy or potential side effects.
If you think plant medicine may be right for you, book an appointment with a GP to find out more.
Legal medicinal cannabis products are strictly regulated under the quality and safety standards under the Therapeutic Goods Order No.93.
Inclusive of regulatory standards is the safe and regular testing for cannabinoid content, contamination, toxic and harmful contaminants and for consistency.
In order for plant medicine to be properly regulated, and for patients to accurately experience the benefits of its use, it is important for medicine to be of a consistent quality and nature.
Appointments with a General Practitioner as an in-person consultation or follow-up appointment for the purpose of medicinal cannabis are covered under Medicare and receive a partial rebate.
COST AND MEDICARE REBATE
Medicare provides a partial rebate for in-clinic appointments, not telehealth (unless it is a follow up and your first appointment was in-clinic).
We have provided this detailed summary to help you understand what you will actually pay in each scenario. Our Telehealth prices are slightly lower to compensate for the lack of Medicare rebate.
Some private health funds now cover medicinal cannabis consultations and prescriptions. Check with your provider today.
In Clinic appointments attract a medicare rebate
Telehealth appointments do not attract a rebate
Ananda Clinics has a number of pathways to obtain medications, including through your local pharmacy or secure direct mail from a distant pharmacy. We do not supply medicine directly to our patients and do not carry medicine in-clinic.
1. Book
Booking is fast and easy. It involves a short pre-consult screening to save you time down the track in case you’re not eligible for plant medicine. If you are, you can book on the spot.
2. Consult
Meet with your doctor and nurse to discuss your condition, medical history and to discover if plant-based medicines may be beneficial for you.
3. Prescribe
With a script, patients can choose to fill their script online, delivering direct to their home, or with one of Ananda Clinics partner Pharmacies across Australia.
4. Monitor
Patient support extends past the first script, carefully monitoring symptoms, improvements, and feelings of well-being or otherwise through regular follow ups and communication.
5. Adjust
As a results-focused practice, your prescription will be monitored and adjusted as needed, until optimal results are found.
6. Follow Up
Ananda Clinics recommends a follow-up appointment at 1 month and 3 months after your initial appointment until the right balance with your medication is found.
Patients under the age of 16 will require a referral by their specialist, paediatrician, or psychologist in order to qualify for an appointment. Patients under the age of 18 will only ever be prescribed Cannabidiol (CBD) for treatment.
FREE
