Plant-Based Medicine

We support the use of Medicinal Cannabis for a range of medical conditions.

Know more about Althea

Althea is an Australian licensed producer, supplier and exporter of pharmaceutical grade medicinal cannabis and is listed publicly on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX:AGH).


The pathway to Cannabinoid prescription involves a consultation with one of our Cannabis Clinic Doctors, who are Authorised Prescribers of these products.

Cannabis, particularly THC, is a Schedule 8 medication and is regulated by the Federal Government, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), and the state-based Department of Health Services (DHS). In Victoria, a permit is required from the DHS, and reporting to the TGA is mandatory for each prescribing Doctor.

Once granted, permits are valid for 12 months.

To access a prescription, make an appointment through our Cannabis Clinic to see one of our Authorised Prescribing Doctors.

Book Appointment

About Medicinal Cannabis

The plant cannabis (also known by the names marijuana / marihuana, ‘weed’, ‘pot’, ‘hash’ and many others) has a long history as a food, resource and medicine in human culture, with records stretching back over 4,000 years – making it one of the oldest medicines on record.1,2 It’s thought to have originated in Central Asia and was used by nearly all known ancient cultures, including Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Indian and Chinese societies.3

Areas of Use

Cannabis has been used in various forms in both ancient and modern times for many different conditions.2,4
Medical research into the use of cannabis is currently limited, but more and more studies are now being performed on the use of medicinal cannabis to treat a variety of conditions.


How Medicinal Cannabis Works

More than 100 different cannabinoids (cannabis-specific chemicals) have been identified in cannabis, but two in particular are medically important: delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).3
THC and CBD act through the endocannabinoid system, and have different effects on the body5,6:

THC

Intoxicating
Pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties
May reduce nausea and vomiting
May increase appetite
May have sedative properties

CBD

Non-intoxicating
Pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties
May reduce anxiety
Anti-convulsant properties
Modulates the effects of THC

Medicinal cannabis products have different actions depending on the ratio of THC to CBD that they contain. CBD acts to balance out some of the negative effects of THC, so combining THC with CBD can allow patients to receive higher doses of THC with a reduced risk of unwanted side-effects.5,6

HOW TO USE

Applications

Seizures, Inflammation, Chronic Pain, Psychosis or mental disorders, Inflammatory bowel disease, Nausea, Migraine, Depression, Anxiety

CBD DOMINANT

Seizures, Inflammation, Chronic Pain, Psychosis or mental disorders, Inflammatory bowel disease, Nausea, Migraine, Depression, Anxiety

THC DOMINANT

Chronic pain, Muscle Spasticity, Glaucoma, Insomnia, Low appetite, Nausea, Anxiety

BALANCED DOSE

Anxiety, Tremor, Migraine, PTSD, Insomnia, Arthritis, Nausea, Vomiting, Chronic Pain

recommendations

Drug Testing and Driving

Cannabinoids like THC and CBD are stored in adipose tissue, the bodies fat cells, and can be detected for several days or weeks after using them. 

Most standard drug tests look for chemicals related to THC, however, CBD sensitive tests also exist. 

In QLD, it is an offence to drive with any amount of THC in your system. Driving is allowed with CBD only medications. 

Patients taking CBD only medicines can drive lawfully, as long as they are not impaired.