Medicinal Cannabis Products

Products

Medicinal cannabis has had a stratospheric rise in Australia and is increasingly prescribed across the board for many different medical conditions. Many people have been self-medicating with illicit cannabis for many years, with medicinal cannabis allowing a regulated approach to offering this treatment in a safe manner.

With the increased mainstream acceptance of medicinal cannabis in Australia, so has there been an increase in available products. This has meant that, with a cluttered marketplace, it can be difficult to decide which product might be best for you.

This is where discussion with an expert medicinal cannabis prescribing doctor can be useful. These doctors can listen to symptoms, previous treatment trials, successes and failures, and advise on which product might best fit each individual’s needs.

The person who is inevitably in charge of whether to go ahead and which product they would like to trial is the person who is going to be taking this product. So it can be good to be informed of options.

Sativa versus Indica versus Hybrid

One of the first decisions to make is whether Sativa, Indica or Hybrid strains might be best suited. Sativa classically gives less full-body relaxation, is less drowsy and allows more function throughout the day. Sativa is usually taken by people who wish to maintain daily function more. Indica has more of a cognitive effect, leads to drowsiness and is usually considered better for sleep. Indica is usually taken in the evening or night time and has a more sedative effect. Hybrids, as you would imagine, have a mixture of Sativa and Indica effects and usually have to be trialled to know how you will react.

Recommended Indica products Are Generally:

Althea Capilano oil is a mixed THC and CBD balanced product

This product has CBD 12mg/mL : THC 10mg/mL.

Althea Henrik dried herb. This is Indica dominant and is 18% THC.

This product is readily accessible and stocked at most dispensing pharmacies.

Beacon Girlscout Cookies dried herb.

This is Indica dominant and is 20% THC. Access to this product can be intermittent and fluctuating.

Recommended Sativa products are generally:

Cannatrek Uplift Lemnos dried herb.

This is Sativa Dominant and is 18% THC. Cannatrek is usually easily accessible and there is often a good supply.

Beacon Super Silver Haze dried herb.

This product is Sativa Dominant and is 18% THC. Beacon product stock is intermittent and sometimes difficult to find.

Oral Versus Inhalation

The second decision is how this medication will be administered. The preference within the medical community is usually oral administration, due to inhalation of cannabis leading to lung disease. The type of oral administration preferred depends on the doctor and the individual. Most people prefer oils, as they are cost-effective, easy to use and easy to dose. Some people prefer oral sprays, as these potentially have a quicker onset due to their higher absorption in the oral mucosa.

Dried herb is preferred by people who like an immediate effect, for example for acute anxiety attacks. The dried herb is vaporised or smoked. Dried herb vaporisers are available for purchase online. Smoking through a joint or a bong and causes emphysema, asthma and chronic bronchitis and hasn’t been a good idea since the 1980s. If you smoke, you totally shouldn’t, it’s the worst health decision you can possibly make, especially since there are so many other options these days.

Product List

There are hundreds, potentially thousands of available products on the Australian market currently registered by TGA. Often access and stock quantities are sometimes an issue. Accessing a larger compani’s stock, such as Cannatrek or Althea, can mean no wait times and continuity of product type.

A full list of TGA registered products can be found here: TGA approved medicinal cannabis product list