Our strength is in our breadth
important SCCAC alert
Expiry of suspension of Victorian S8 permit requirements via Public Health Emergency Order #6
Following enquiries from AMCA and SCCAC, the Office of Medicinal Cannabis (OMC), Health VIC, has confirmed that the suspension of Victorian S8 permit requirements via Public Health Emergency Order #6 will expire on 27 March 2021.
This was previously detailed on the health department’s Medicines and Poisons page, but was, unfortunately, prematurely deleted.
As a result of the expiry, from 28 March all registered Victorian medical practitioners and nurse practitioners will be required to apply for a Schedule 8 permit when prescribing a Schedule 8 medicinal cannabis product (i.e. a product containing >2% THC), noting existing exemptions for permit requirements when prescribing to some patients.
The Victorian Schedule 8 permit system is currently under review and the department has recently surveyed prescribers (via KPMG) to gain an understanding of their views towards the Schedule 8 permit system. This survey closed on 14 March 2021 and will assist in determining whether there is a role for the S8 Permit System moving forward. The Office of Medicinal Cannabis (Health VIC) has advised us that it is, unfortunately, not able to advise on the timeframe for when any decision will be made regarding S8 permits.
The OMC will be updating information on its webpage accordingly. SCCAC will keep its members informed of further developments.
Click here to read more about the PHEO
SCC AUSTRALIAN CHAPTER
The Australian Chapter of the SCC (SSCAC) has recently been established in recognition of how important education and research are to building acceptance and support of medicinal cannabis, particularly amongst health professionals.
It only costs AU$100 to join the Australian Chapter, but you will need to become a member of the international SCC first (Click button to right).
Members of the Australian Chapter will receive a 20% discount on SCC membership fees. Please list in the Comments section at the end of the SCC membership application: "Australian Chapter - 20% discount."
Members of the SCC Australian Chapter can also receive a 50% discount on AMCA membership if they join AMCA at the Copper (Voting) or Associate (Non-voting) level. If you also wish to join AMCA, please apply through the AMCA "Join Us" page on this website.
AMCA members are also entitled to a 50% discount on the SCC Australian Chapter fee.
To join or learn more about the International Society of Cannabis Clinicians International Chapters, click the button below
SCCAC OPINION ON AUSTRALIAN DRIVING LAWS
AMCA and SCCAC support the Drive Change Campaign
"The Australian Chapter of the Society of Cannabis Clinicians (SCCAC) is committed to supporting and educating both patients and prescribers alike in using medicinal cannabis products. An important step forward is advocacy, and increasing access to what has been shown as a viable treatment option.
Current driving laws in Australia, surrounding cannabis, are extremely prohibitive to their use in medical practice. Many patients do not want to proceed due to risking their licence or their independence. The mere presence of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and not any associated impairment, is flatly discriminatory and further stigmatises an emerging therapy.
Evidence has suggested that some medicinal cannabis products cause little to no impairment in driving. This has included products with trace amounts of THC. Adhering to good medical practice, and under the guidance of a healthcare professional, cannabis patients should not be punished unfairly.
The SCCAC firmly believes that the same scrutiny as other medications should be applied to medicinal cannabis; test for impairment, NOT presence."
FORMATION OF THE SCC AUSTRALIAN CHAPTER - 4 Nov 20
It is with great pleasure that the Australian Medicinal Cannabis Association (AMCA) and The Society of Cannabis Clinicians of the USA would like to announce the formation of the Society of Cannabis Clinicians - Australian Chapter.
Inaugural President and Vice President are Dr James Connell and Dr Joel Wren respectively (pictured above).
The formation of SSCAC marks the significant growth of medicinal cannabis prescribing since legalisation of medicinal cannabis in Australia in 2016. As more doctors prescribe medicinal cannabis in Australia, support amongst health professionals has continued to grow based on positive patient experiences.
However, the medicinal cannabis industry and patients still face significant hurdles. There is an urgent need for education, research and wider acceptance at all levels in order to benefit more patients. It is also apparent that many Australian patients in genuine need still access products of unknown quality, provenance or content from illicit sources and without medical supervision. This is usually the result of the many failings within the existing system, not least of which is the continuing personal bias of some health care practitioners.
The organisation is an educational and scientific society of qualified physicians and other professionals dedicated to the promotion, protection and support of cannabis for medical use.
New members are welcome.
SCCAC GOALS
1. Expansion of knowledge on the medical use of cannabis
2. Facilitation of best practice standards for cannabis consultations
3. To study, discuss and make recommendations relating to research, practice and policy in the medical use of cannabis
4. To further the recruitment of medical graduates and able physicians willing to recommend cannabis to patients
5. To maintain and advance the highest possible ideals and service standards in the education, practice and research in the medical use of cannabis.
Australian chapter lauNCHes
by Emma Castle, 4 November 2020
The Australian Medicinal Cannabis Association (AMCA) and The Society of Cannabis Clinicians of the USA have announced the Australian chapter of The Society of Cannabis Clinicians.
The formation of the Society of Cannabis Clinicians Australian Chapter (SCCAC) follows the significant growth in prescribers and prescriptions since medical cannabis was legalised in 2016.
Founding member and AMCA general manager Gail Wiseman said: “The establishment of the Society of Cannabis Clinicians – Australian Chapter was the first major project for AMCA and we are excited to see how well supported it has already been by its founding group of nearly 20 dedicated individuals.
“We see SCCAC bringing all of the advantages offered by the international SCC organisation while uniting and meeting the specific needs of Australian-based health care practitioners (HCPs) and their affiliates.
“SCCAC had its inaugural meeting on November 3 and its priority interests were very clear – a strong focus on providing education to interested HCPs on the endocannabinoid system and best-practice prescribing of medicinal cannabis, and reducing the stigma associated with the use of medicinal cannabis.
“AMCA and SCC will continue to provide administrative support to the fledgling SCCAC whilw allowing it to operate as an independent, non-political organisation.”
The goals of the organisation are to educate people about medical cannabis; facilitate best practice standards for cannabis consultations; study, discuss and make recommendations relating to research, practice and policy in the medical use of cannabis; recruit medical graduates and physicians willing to recommend cannabis to patients; and to maintain and advance the highest possible ideals and service standards in education, practice and research in the medical use of cannabis.
At SCCAC’s inaugural meeting, Dr James Connell was elected president with Dr Joel Wren named vice president of the association.
The society has 17 founding members and new members are welcome. For more information or to join SSCAC, email info@ausmca.org.
