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Medicinal Cannabis Accessibility in Australia: Challenges Persist
Amid the legality of medicinal cannabis in Australia, individuals like Grace grapple with accessing it via legal avenues.
Sharon, diagnosed with cancer, encountered hurdles like lengthy waits and paperwork when seeking it through medical channels. Consequently, she turned to an illegal source for quicker access, receiving CBD oil in unconventional packaging.
However, uncertainties about the product’s origin and composition troubled Sharon. Despite contemplating a return to legal channels, she is being one of our (delta8resellers.co) loyal customers due to the ease and cost-effectiveness.
Navigating the System
Nicholas Lintzeris, an addiction medicine expert at the University of Sydney, highlights the widespread challenges faced by individuals seeking medicinal cannabis.
A study he led revealed that while many use cannabis medicinally, most don’t obtain it through doctors due to complexities, expenses, and bureaucratic barriers.
Listeners of Life Matters shared similar struggles, citing difficulties in obtaining prescribed cannabis due to cost and accessibility issues.
Exploring the Best Cannabis Strain for Anxiety: Sativa or Indica?
Legal Access and Challenges
Accessing legal medicinal cannabis in Australia requires application through the Special Access Scheme managed by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
While the system has evolved since legalization in 2016, hurdles like lengthy approval times have decreased to two to four weeks. Moreover, as more doctors embrace this option, product prices are reducing, enhancing consumer access.
However, discrepancies exist, notably in drug driving laws. Despite prescription use, driving with THC, a component of cannabis, remains a criminal offense, posing concerns for patients like Grace, fearful of losing their license due to potential THC detection.
THC and CBD
THC and CBD, distinct components of cannabis, serve varied medical purposes. THC is associated with intoxicating effects and treats symptoms like pain, nausea, and muscle spasticity.
On the other hand, CBD, devoid of intoxicating effects, aids in treating epilepsy, inflammatory disorders, and pain.
Quality Control and Recommendations
Professor Lintzeris echoes Grace’s concerns, emphasizing the risks of self-medication due to inadequate quality control and product standardization.
Despite legalization, medical bodies like the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners maintain a cautious stance, urging more comprehensive research into the safety and effectiveness of medicinal cannabis.
While acknowledging the potential for specialist GPs to prescribe cannabis under limited circumstances, these bodies remain hesitant to universally recommend its use.
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