Frequently asked
Questions

Frequently asked Questions

The words cannabis and marijuana are used interchangeably. Marijuana is often, although not always used in an illicit context. Cannabis, named after the plant genus, is the internationally recognised term so experts prefer to use cannabis when referring to the plant. To read more about medicinal cannabis, see the following link:

Administration

Medicinal cannabis is legal in many countries, including Australia, when produced under strict regulatory guidelines and prescribed and administered by an approved registered medical practitioner.

Patients can be prescribed medicinal cannabis by a registered medical practitioner with the appropriate expertise and qualifications to prescribe cannabis therapeutic goods for the patient’s medical condition. For more information, see the following link:

Accessing Medicinal Cannabis

The best place to start is be speaking with your GP or specialist. See How to Talk to Your Doctor or Find a Doctor for more information.

The costs of medicinal cannabis will vary considerably dependent on the dosage required and the product prescribed. No cannabis products currently have a subsidy on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, so patients will generally need to cover the costs of filling the prescription out of pocket. On average, medicinal cannabis patients can expect to spend around $5-$15 per day, although costs can be substantially higher for patients with conditions such as epilepsy that require very high doses of CBD.

To learn more about the costs of medicinal cannabis, see the following link:

Costs

Medicinal cannabis is be administered via a variety of pathways, including but not limited to vaporisation, sublingual and topical absorption. For more information, see the following link:

Administration

Many cannabis medicines have little to no delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary cannabinoid responsible for cannabis’ pshyoactive effects. These products are often high in cannabidiol (CBD) and very low in delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), significantly reducing or eliminating psychoactivity.

The Endocannabinoid system (ECS) is an endogenous (internal) homeostatic regulating system found in all vertebrates. The ECS is a complex system responsible for multiple physiological processes, which includes modulation of pain, seizure threshold, appetite, digestion, cognition and mood. Scientists believe that the main role of the ECS is to help the body maintain homeostasis or balance. To learn more about the endocannabinoid system and how cannabis works as a medicine, see the following link:

Endocannabinoids System

The cannabis plant produces over 400 chemical compounds, more than 65 of which are unique to the cannabis plant (called cannabinoids, or phytocannabinoids). Phytocannabinoids are compounds which hold medicinal value and the most well-known are THC and CBD. To learn more about the difference between THC and CBD, see the following link:

THC and CBD

In some cases, medicinal cannabis can cause undesirable side effects, which may increase with higher doses. Patients should speak with their medical professional about their treatment and any take note of any side effects. To learn more about possible side effects of medicinal cannabis, see the following link:

THC and CBD

DISCLAIMER: This page is for educational and information purposes only. Aruma recommends that any individual with a medical condition seek advice from their primary care physician before considering or making any alteration to their health regimen.