The Australian medical industry is constantly changing, especially with new alternative methods of care such as medicinal cannabis making their way into treatment plans for health conditions across the country.

In Queensland, the use of medicinal cannabis was legalised in 2016 under strict conditions. Under the lead of Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), the Queensland Government created legislation to ensure the correct and safe use of medicinal cannabis.

Find out more about the uses of medicinal cannabis in Queensland and the state’s legislation on the topic below.

The History of Medicinal Cannabis in Queensland

The use of cannabis for medicinal purposes has a long history, with evidence of its therapeutic effects dating back thousands of years. Cannabis was used in ancient China and India for a variety of conditions including pain relief, sleep disorders and digestive issues.

In Australia, the first recorded use of medicinal cannabis dates back to 1842 when it was used to treat toothache and other ailments. However, it wasn’t until the late 20th century that interest in the therapeutic potential of the cannabis plant began to grow again.

This renewed interest was driven in part by anecdotal reports from cancer patients who found that smoking cannabis helped to relieve their chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting. In the 1990s, a number of scientific studies were conducted which provided further evidence of the potential medicinal benefits of cannabis.

The Queensland Government legalised the use of medicinal cannabis in 2016 as medicinal cannabis became legal nation-wide.

Medicinal Cannabis Products in QLD

Under Queensland’s medicinal cannabis legislation, patients are only able to access cannabis-based products if they have been diagnosed with a specific condition that has not responded to traditional forms of treatment.

The conditions that can currently be treated with medicinal cannabis in Queensland include

• Cancer
• Epilepsy
• HIV/AIDS
• Chronic pain
• Muscle spasms caused by multiple sclerosis (MS)

In QLD, the only legal way to access medicinal cannabis is with a prescription from a doctor who is registered with the state’s Queensland Health.

To date, there have been no clinical trials conducted in Queensland on the efficacy of medicinal cannabis for treating any condition. However, a number of small studies have been conducted which suggest that medicinal cannabis may be effective for treating certain conditions.

The use of medicinal cannabis is an emerging area of medicine and its long-term effects are not yet fully understood. The Queensland Government is currently undertaking a review of the state’s medicinal cannabis legislation to ensure that it is meeting the needs of patients and doctors by encouraging clinical trials.

It is hoped that further research will be conducted on the efficacy of medicinal cannabis in treating a variety of conditions so that more patients can benefit from this promising form of treatment.

QLD Laws on Prescribing Medicinal Cannabis

In Queensland, access to and the prescription of medicinal cannabis products are regulated by the state’s Queensland Health.

Under the current legislation, doctors must apply to Queensland Health for approval to prescribe medicinal cannabis products to their patients. The application process is designed to ensure that only patients who have a genuine need for medicinal cannabis are able to access it.

To be approved to prescribe medicinal cannabis, doctors must first complete an online training course which covers topics such as the potential risks and benefits of medicinal cannabis, how to assess patients for suitability and how to monitor patients who are using medicinal cannabis products.

Once a doctor has been approved by Queensland Health, they can then start prescribing medicinal cannabis products to their patients. However, there are a number of restrictions on what types of products can be prescribed and how they can be used.

At present, only certain cannabis-based products which have been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) can be prescribed in Queensland. These products must be registered with Queensland Health and can only be dispensed by a pharmacy which is licensed to do so.

Patients who are prescribed medicinal cannabis products must use them strictly as directed by their doctor. They must also undergo regular monitoring to ensure that the treatment is effective and to check for any adverse effects.

How is Medicinal Cannabis in QLD Regulated?

The Queensland Government is committed to ensuring that patients who could benefit from medicinal cannabis have legal access to it. To this end, the government has established a comprehensive regulatory framework which controls every aspect of the medicinal cannabis industry in the state, including accessing medicinal cannabis.

Queensland Health is the government body responsible for overseeing the medicinal cannabis industry in Queensland. The office is tasked with issuing licenses to growers, manufacturers and suppliers of medicinal cannabis products, as well as registering doctors who wish to prescribe these products to their patients.

Queensland Health also regulates how medicinal cannabis products can be advertised and marketed in Queensland. This ensures that patients are not bombarded with misleading information about these products and that they are able to make informed decisions about whether or not they want to use them.

The Queensland Government has also put in place a number of measures to ensure that only high-quality, safe and effective medicinal cannabis products are made available to patients. All of the cannabis products which can be prescribed in Queensland must be manufactured under strict quality control standards and must be approved by the TGA before they can be sold.

In addition, all of the pharmacies which dispense medicinal cannabis products in Queensland must be licensed by the state government. This ensures that patients are only able to obtain the appropriate medicinal cannabis product from reputable sources.

Queensland Health is constantly updating its processes to adapt to new developments in the space. To keep up with the changes, the department has a resources hub, where both patients and medical practitioners can access.

FAQs - Medicinal Cannabis QLD Laws

Below, we answer some of the most frequently asked questions concerning legal medicinal cannabis products and industry legislation in QLD and Australia.

How long does TGA approval take for medicinal cannabis?

The time frame for TGA approval of medicinal cannabis products can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the complexity of the product and the amount of data that is required to support its safety and efficacy. In general, however, it may take around six months for a product to be approved by the TGA.

In order to be approved for cannabis medicines prescriptions, doctors who wish to prescribe medicinal cannabis products must first complete an online training course which covers topics such as the potential risks and benefits of medicinal cannabis, how to assess patients for suitability and how to monitor patients who are using medicinal cannabis products. Once a doctor has been approved by Queensland Health, they can then start prescribing most medicinal cannabis products to their patients.

What are the laws on cannabis in Queensland?

The personal use of cannabis is still illegal in Queensland, and possession of small amounts can result in a fine.

Medicinal cannabis products are only legal in Queensland if they have been prescribed by a doctor and registered with Queensland Health. These products can only be dispensed by pharmacies which are licensed to do so.

Patients who are prescribed medicinal cannabis products must use them strictly as directed by their doctor. They must also undergo regular monitoring to ensure the medicinal cannabis treatment is effective and to check for any adverse effects.