Resources

CLINICAL PUBLICATIONS

Anxiety

Dahlgren 2022 MC for Anxiety

Narayan 2022 Review MC Anxiety

Attitudes

Bawa 2022 Pharmacists Attitudes MC in Aust

Chiu 2022 Aus Cannabis Attitides

Barriers to Use

Erku 2022 Barriers in Australia to MC Use

Cancer Symptoms

Bao 2022 MC Substitutes for Opioids in Cancer

Hardy 2022 CBD for Symptoms in Cancer

Cost Effectiveness

Erku_2021_Cost Effectiveness MMJ Chronic Conditions

Clinical trials

Modaresi 2022 Clinical Trials for MC

Depression

Mangoo 2023 MC for Depress

Prescribing and Dosing

Bhjaskar 2021 Consensus Cannabis Dosage

Driving and Impairment

Costales 2023 DUIC Advice Based on Arkell

Blood and oral fluid THC_Impairment_Lambert Initiative_2021

Wickens 2022 DUIC for Rec v Medical

Edibles

Perlat 2022 Safety of Edibles

Fibromyalgia

Hershkovich 2022 MC for FMyalgia

Headache

Melinyshyn 2022 MC for Headache

Nicholas 2023 MC for Headaches

Hyperemesis

Russo 2021 Cannabis HyperemesisSyndrome

Hypertension

Shah 2023 Hypertension Cannabis

Inflammatory Bowel

Dalavaye 2023 MC for Inflamatory Bowel

Interactions

Graham 2022 Review CBD Interactions

Lungs

Joshi 2022 Cannabis & Lungs

Opioids

Bao 2022 MC Substituties for Opioids in Cancer

DeAquino 2022 Review of MC for Withdrawal Opioids

Kudrich 2022 CBD for Withdrawal Opioids

Takakuwa 2021 Reduction in opioids for pain

Overdose

Cano 2022 Review US Overdose Mortality

Pain

bmj_chronic pain guidelines_2021Greis 2021 MMJ for Pain

Takakuwa 2021 Reduction in opioids for pain

Parkinson’s Disease

MedicalMarijuanaand Parkinsons_03.04.22_MJF Foundation

Pregnancy

Lo 2023 Pregnancy Review

Real World Evidence

Sakal 2021 Evidence Base T21 MMJ-0001

Schlag 2022 MC Real World Evidence

Safety

MacCallum 2021 MMJ Indications Review

MacCallum 2021 MMJ Cannabis Safety Considerations

Vickery 2022 Australia MC Safety & Benefits

Perlat 2022 Safety of Edibles

Sleep

TervoClemmens 2023 Cannabis & Sleep

Tervo-Clemmens MC for Sleep Quality

Surgery

surgery guidance cannabis screening

Tobacco

Najman 2023 Cannabis Tobacco

Tourett’s Symdrome

Barchel 2022 MC for Tourettes

 

USEFUL DOCUMENTS

    NEW!

    Interim Guidance regarding THC-based Medicinal Cannabis Treatment for Patients with Cannabis and/or other Substance Use Disorders

    Click the title above to download a free copy.

    The need for guidance.

    The rapid expansion of medicinal cannabis treatment in Australia has resulted in (an estimated) >500,000 Australians having been prescribed a THC-based medicine [1,2], predominately for indications such as chronic pain, mental health and sleep disorders. International and Australian studies indicate that a considerable proportion (between 10-20% [3] of these patients meet criteria of cannabis dependence – as many as 50-100,000 Australians prescribed THC-based medicines.
    To minimise risks and optimise patient safety, clinicians should consider specific evidence-informed approaches when providing THC-based medicinal cannabis treatment to patients with cannabis dependence. There has been little to no guidance provided to date for clinicians, consumers or regulators on what is good clinical practice in this clinical context. In part this is because of the unique framework in Australia for prescription of medicinal cannabis – whereby medical/nurse practitioners prescribe specific preparations, concentrations and quantities with dosing instructions (like other medicines) and these are dispensed at a pharmacy. This contrasts with most international settings in which medical cannabis is available – whereby medical practitioners generally authorise a patient’s access to medical cannabis – but allow patients to choose their own products and quantities at cannabis dispensaries [4].
    The approaches described in this document are similar to those recommended for responsible prescribing of other medications that have the potential for ‘iatrogenic dependence’ or misuse – such as opioids and benzodiazepines [5,6]. It is timely that guidelines are developed to address this gap in the medicinal cannabis literature.  
    This interim guidance document has been developed by the Australian Medicinal Cannabis Association, with input from experienced medical practitioners, nurses, pharmacists and researchers who are AMCA members. Further consultation with a broader range of consumers, clinicians and academics will be sought in coming months, with a view to updating the document.
    Suggested Citation: Lintzeris N, AMCA Working Group. (2024). Interim Guidance regarding THC-based Medicinal Cannabis Treatment for Patients with Cannabis and/or other Substance Use Disorders. Australian Medicinal Cannabis Association.

    [1] Based on estimates derived from AIHW National Household Survey 2022-23. Accessed June 2024 at https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/b8b298cc-6d3f-4ab0-a238-9bd63f300c09/national-drug-strategy-household-survey-2022-2023.pdf?v=20240229072409&inline=true

    [2] TGA Medicinal Cannabis SAP-B data portal accessible at https://www.tga.gov.au/medicinal-cannabis-special-access-scheme-category-b-data

    [3] Dawson D, et al. The prevalence of cannabis use disorders in people who use medicinal cannabis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2024; 257:111263. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2024.111263.

    [4] https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-medication/cannabis/medical-use-cannabis.html; Ryan JE, McCabe SE, Boyd CJ. Medicinal Cannabis: Policy, Patients, and Providers. Policy Polit Nurs Pract. 2021 May;22(2):126-133. doi: 10.1177/1527154421989609.

    [5] RACP Prescribing Drugs of Dependence in General Practice 2015. Accessed June 2024 at https://www.racgp.org.au/clinical-resources/clinical-guidelines/key-racgp-guidelines/view-all-racgp-guidelines/drugs-of-dependence

    [6] Black E, Khor KE, Demirkol A. Responsible Prescribing of Opioids for Chronic Non-Cancer Pain: A Scoping Review. Pharmacy (Basel). 2020 Aug 20;8(3):150. doi: 10.3390/pharmacy8030150.

      A primer to medicinal cannabis
      Click the title above to download a free copy.
      This excellent  publication from Bedrocan International discusses the therapeutic use of cannabis – not pot, marijuana, grass, or dope for recreational use to get ‘high’. It focuses strictly on medicinal cannabis and aims to give health care professionals, regulators and patients insights into the medical and scientific aspects of Cannabis sativa L. and how this plant fits in the chain of therapeutic options.
      A clinical primer
      Click the link above to download a free copy.
      This is an excellent guide to the rational use of cannabis-based medicines from Bedrocan International.
      Cannabis-based medicines are increasingly being made available on a global level. It is important that prescribers, pharmacists and nurses are equipped with practical, evidence-based guidance to support decision-making, and to improve communication of the benefits and risks of these medicines with their patients. This clinical primer draws on clinical research, clinical observations, and professional experiences to provide useful, real-world insights to the rational use of cannabis-based medicines.

      UIC SYMPOSIUM 2023

      To view the session recordings, please register on our Teach-Hub platform (teach-hub.org). If you attended UIC 2023, viewing of the recordings if free-of-charge.

      USEFUL LINKS

        UIC SYMPOSIUM 2023 RECORDINGS AVAILABLE FOR ATTENDEES AND AMCA MEMBERS VIA TEACH-HUB

        UIC SYMPOSIUM 2022 LINKS BELOW:

        Saturday 21st May

        Industry Session videos

        1. Past Present Future – Australian industry update
        2. The benefits of seeking and understanding intellectual property rights, with a focus on how strategically timing your IP filings can improve your chances of success in achieving meaningful protection.
        3. Facility design options on infrastructure and equipment, as well as the factors that influence strategic decision making to support economically sustainable business models.
        4. Factors that influence strategic decision making to support economically sustainable business models.
        5. An understanding of the technology and process employed in medicinal cannabis facilities to produce consistent, high quality yields.
        6. Insights into optimum cultivation strategies from leading medical cannabis facilities in Australia.
        7. Regulatory update followed by a Q&A Panel with John Skerrit (TGA) and the ODC.
        8. BEYOND GAcP – the development of GMCCP: this session exploredthe requirements of GMP and GACP in Australian medical cannabis production including quality, consistency, training and documentation.
        9. An overview into the various propagation methods for medicinal cannabis.
        10. Leading biological pest & disease management specialists on best practice integrated pest management (IPM).
        11. Leading labs in Australia review the requirements for analytical (TGO93, TGO100) and stability testing for the medicinal cannabis industry.
        Sunday 22nd May Industry Sessions
        1. Cannabis Markets and Opportunities – an overview of cannabis markets and opportunities for Australian producers.
        2. Cannabis Genetics – the importance of selecting and breeding for optimum cannabis genetics for the Australian industry.
        3. Post Harvest Presentations and Panel – shining a spotlight on the importance of optimum post-harvest processing of medical cannabis for consistent, high quality cannabis production.
        4. Extraction Presentations and Panel.
        5. Product Formulations and Innovation – investigating the diverse variety of medical cannabis formulations and the unique delivery methods available in the medicinal cannabis space now and in the near future.