Cannabis
Welcome to the cannabis resources page.
Below is a list of resources to support you in the management of patients who use cannabis.
Cannabis Overview
- NSW Health provide an excellent overview of cannabis, its effects, how it affects the body, the law, pregnancy and much more. This can information can be found here.
Fact Sheets / Patient Booklets
Local cannabis misuse support services
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SDECC – AOD Intensive Support Program
Non-residential day rehabilitation, including individual counselling, care coordination, group programs and intensive outreach for people aged 14-25 years Services are available in Chatswood and Manly.
To access the program call 9977 0711.
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Odyssey House Community Services
Non-residential rehabilitation for adults over 18 years old, including individual and group counselling, support to family members of people who have an addiction. Services available in Chatswood and Manly. To access the program call 1800 397 739.
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Odyssey House Community Services – Drug & Alcohol Counselling
Non-residential day rehabilitation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults over 18 years old, including individual and group counselling, support to family members of people who have an addiction. Services available in Chatswood and Manly. To access the program call 1800 397 739.
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ACON – Substance Support Counselling
Face-to-face in Surry Hills and remote access program (Skype or telephone) providing intensive, structured interventions within a harm reduction model to Lesbian, Gay, Transgender and Intersex people with alcohol and other drug misuse issues. Up to 12 sessions with the ability to extend. To access the program call 1800 063 060.
- Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS) – patient support helpline 1800 422 599
Medicinal Cannabis
For general enquiries contact the Centre for Medicinal Cannabis Research and Innovation using our online enquiry form, or call the Cannabis Medicines Help Line on 1800 217 257 (toll free within Australia).
The Cannabis Medicines Help Line is available between 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday to provide advice and information about cannabis medicines to patients, carers and the general public.
- Access to medicinal cannabis products – Australian Government Department of Health and TGA
- Webinar: Understanding Cannabis Medicines (Part 1): Current evidence and availability – This RACGP webinar has been designed to update GPs on the current landscape regarding cannabis medicines, including how they work, the available evidence for use for different health conditions, and precautions for use.
- Webinar: Understanding Cannabis Medicines (Part 2): Prescribing in General Practice – This RACGP webinar focuses on how cannabis medicines can be prescribed, the role of GPs and the importance of informed consent and monitoring patients on cannabis medicines.
- The process of prescribing medicinal cannabis
Find a Medicinal Cannabis Prescriber
Honalee https://honahlee.com.au/cannabis-doctors-australia/
Green Choices https://www.greenchoices.com.au/patients/find-a-doctor
Further Resources (for doctors)
As of 1 July 2022, the functions of the former NSW Cannabis Medicines Advisory Service have become embedded in the John Hunter Hospital Pharmacy Department. The service continues to provide expert clinical guidance and cannabis medicine prescribing advice for community general practitioners and rural clinicians.
The service can assist with:
- understanding the latest evidence around cannabis medicines
- understanding the regulatory requirements for cannabis prescription
- considering tools to monitor a patient’s progress whilst using cannabis medicines
- provision of protocols to facilitate cannabis medicine prescribing.
The John Hunter Hospital Pharmacy Department can be contacted by email only, at HNELHD-JHHPharmacy@health.nsw.gov.au.
Public health practitioners working in metropolitan local health districts should consult their local medicines information services for clinical guidance and prescribing advice.
- Your Room is a NSW Health website that provides facts for patients, parents and clinicians about alcohol and other drugs. Visit website.
- Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia (DARTA) aims to provide education and training expertise as well as high quality research assistance on a wide range of alcohol and other drug issues. Visit website.
