Please reach us at reception@cannabisdoctorstasmania.com.au if you cannot find an answer to your question.
We offer a comprehensive service that includes an initial assessment, a discussion of suitable treatment options, and detailed education on the medication to ensure you feel comfortable and confident in using it. Our support extends to assisting with pharmacy matters and providing regular follow-up to monitor progress and adjust medications as needed.
It is important to note that not all patients will experience the desired benefits from the therapy. If this is the case, we will guide you on when to discontinue the treatment and discuss alternative treatment options that may be more suitable for you
We know that new things can be confusing and overwhelming. That is why we aim to make things as easy as possible. Here are the steps from start to finish for your journey with Cannabis Doctors Tasmania.
1. MAKE AN INITIAL APPOINTMENT
You can easily book an appointment through the links found on our website, or by clicking here. Alternatively, you can search for our clinic on the HotDoc booking platform.
If you prefer, you can contact reception directly by phone at 03 6153 3587 to schedule your appointment.
Please note that a GP referral is not required to book an appointment or have your consultation.
Once your appointment is booked, you will receive three forms via SMS or email from HotDoc, usually within a couple of hours of booking. These forms can be completed easily on your phone or laptop:
If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out.
2. THE DOCTOR WILL CALL YOU AT THE APPOINTMENT TIME
At your scheduled appointment time, you will be contacted via phone or video, depending on the preference you selected when booking.
During the consultation, the doctor will review your medical history, discuss how your symptoms are impacting your life, explain the endocannabinoid system, explore your therapy options, guide you through the process of obtaining your medication, and outline the follow-up requirements.
Feel free to ask any questions during the appointment, or if you need further clarification later, you can follow up with an email after your consultation. We are committed to ensuring you have all the information you need.
3. HAVE YOUR PRESCRIPTION DISPENSED
Scripts prescribed by all of our doctors can be filled at any pharmacy outside of Tasmania or Western Australia. For patients of Dr. Tom and Dr. Dup, prescriptions can also be dispensed within Tasmania, as both doctors are physically based here.
If you need assistance in choosing a pharmacy, we can recommend pharmacies that charge recommended retail prices and offer free express postage.
Once your prescription is filled, your medication will be sent via courier and typically arrives within 1-2 business days in capital cities.
4. FOLLOW UP
Follow up is required a short time after starting the medication due to the experimental nature of the treatment and to ensure you are safely benefiting from the medication.
After the first follow up appointment, if everything is working well and you are benefiting from the treatment, the follow up period can be lengthened. In the longer term, the aim for stable benefiting patients, is for reviews to occur every 3 months for monitoring and prescriptions.
Yes you can! Feel free to see any of our doctors for your follow up appointments if their schedule is better suited to your availability. You will typically do better if you follow up with the same doctor, so we try to encourage that when possible, but we understand that sometimes our doctors don't have availability that suits you.
Broadly speaking, you will be eligible if you have had a chronic condition for over 6 months and 2 conventional treatments have failed to adequately manage the condition (this can include over the counter medications or allied health treatments like psychology or physiotherapy).
If you wonder whether you may benefit or whether you are eligible, get in touch with us. We love questions!
How sad for you. But nonetheless, interstate patients are more than welcome to take advantage of our services. We treat patients from all around Australia and we are happy to provide answers to any of your questions. So get in touch.
No, in most circumstances a referral is not necessary for a consultation. You can make an appointment without a referral but it can be very useful if you are able to get one. Your lovely GP will often have lots of useful little details for us about your medical history.
For patients over 18 years of age, we understand that it is not always possible to get a referral before your appointment. Our doctors will take the time to understand your medical history and a collaborative approach is used to formulate a treatment plan and we can communicate this with your regular GP and other members of your healthcare team after your consultation.
The only exception to this is with patients under 18 years of age. Anyone under 18 years of age requires at least a GP referral to be consider for treatment, and sometimes they will also need a non GP specialist referral (from a paediatrician or a neurologist etc).
Whether you’ve called reception or booked directly through our website, you’ll ultimately be using the HotDoc booking platform to schedule an appointment with our doctors.
If you're already familiar with HotDoc, feel free to stop reading now!
For those wondering, "Who is this 'HotDoc' and how do I book an appointment?"—HotDoc is a trusted and convenient online booking platform for healthcare services. It streamlines the process and gives you greater control over your journey with us.
If you're new to our clinic or to HotDoc, you'll likely receive three text messages from HotDoc after booking your appointment. These typically arrive within an hour of your booking and will include a brief explanation of their purpose, along with a link to access the forms. Here's what you’ll find:
The HotDoc platform ensures a seamless experience for booking, managing appointments, and handling payments, making your journey with us as smooth as possible.
Your initial consultation will take between 30 to 45 minutes and costs $139. Follow-up appointments for monitoring, support, dose titration, and prescriptions are charged at $99 and typically last around 15 minutes.
Payment is processed via the HotDoc booking platform after your consultation.
Please note that patients are not eligible for a Medicare rebate, as the telehealth eligibility rules have changed with the reduction of COVID-19 restrictions.
Medication costs vary depending on the condition(s) being treated. These costs can range from just a few dollars per day to up to $20 per day, depending on the number of medications required and their frequency of use. The doctor will provide an estimate of medication costs during the prescribing process.
If you have any further questions regarding our fees or processes, please don't hesitate to reach out. We’re always happy to assist!
Great question! We would love to know as well. Unfortunately with reducing COVID-19 restrictions, the Commonwealth government opted to restrict Medicare/DVA funding for telehealth consultations to your regular GP practice if you have seen them face to face in the last 12 months. We don't know why they made this decision.
If you feel that you have explored all available treatments for your condition, it may be worth discussing a trial of natural medications with one of our doctors to see if you might benefit.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that some natural medicines, including medicinal cannabis, are considered experimental treatments. The evidence supporting their benefits for many conditions is limited. In Australia, medicinal cannabis is classified as an unapproved medicine and is considered experimental due to insufficient evidence regarding its benefits versus potential harms. Medicinal cannabis products are not listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods and have not been thoroughly evaluated for quality, safety, and efficacy within the Australian context.
During your medication trial, it is possible that you may not experience the expected benefits or that the benefits may be outweighed by side effects. If this occurs, your trial will be discontinued, and our doctor will provide alternative treatment options to explore.
The following is a fantastic summary of both possible short and long term side effects from a paper published in the Australian Journal of General Practice
Cannabis is a relatively safe drug, and it is not associated with fatal overdoses. On the basis of animal lethal dosing studies, the human lethal dose of THC has been extrapolated to be >15,000 mg. This highlights that THC has a very wide safety margin, as this lethal dose is 750 times greater than a typical intoxicating dose of 20 mg. Unlike the opioids, cannabis does not cause respiratory depression because of a paucity of cannabinoid receptor expression in the brainstem.
A major issue with acute dosing of medicinal cannabis products that contain THC is intoxication. A typical intoxicating dose of THC in a person who has never used cannabis previously is approximately 10 mg, although caution is warranted as some patients may be more sensitive. When intoxicated, patients may experience euphoria and anxiolysis as well as enhanced sensory perceptions. Higher doses of THC are associated with anxiety, panic and disorientation in some individuals. Subtle cognitive deficits such as impaired attention and short-term memory impairment may be experienced. THC-containing cannabis may impair driving performance. THC in medicinal cannabis may also cause the classic ‘munchies’ effect by enhancing appetite. Dry mouth and dizziness are common side effects. Cannabis may also cause nausea and vomiting.
Cannabis may provoke a transient psychosis in some healthy participants because of its THC content, although these reactions are rare. In a study that examined emergency hospital admissions across 14 European countries over a six-month period, only seven cases of cannabis-induced psychosis were found when cannabis was the only drug used. CBD-dominant cannabis products may also contain THC, and so it is important that doctors consider the THC content in their dosing recommendations to avoid THC-related intoxication.
CBD administered as a highly purified substance is very safe and not intoxicating. Phase 1 studies demonstrate that it is well tolerated even at very high doses (up to 6000 mg). The most common side effect of CBD is diarrhoea. The main area of concern related to CBD’s safety is the potential for drug–drug interactions that might occur when CBD is administered with conventional pharmacotherapies. CBD is an inhibitor of cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes such as CYP3A4 and CYP2C19, and high doses of CBD used to treat childhood epilepsies increase plasma concentrations of anticonvulsant medications, particularly clobazam, which can lead to increased sedation. Co-administration of CBD with valproate is suspected to cause an elevation of liver transaminases. CBD has also been observed to cause clinically significant pharmacokinetic interactions with warfarin, tacrolimas and methadone by magnifying the adverse effects of these medications. Accordingly, careful upwards dose titration of CBD-dominant products is best practice, especially in patients taking other medications. It is important that doctors carefully monitor patients for any side effects of their concomitant medications when commencing medicinal cannabis products.
There is a need for more safety and pharmacovigilance studies with medicinal cannabis products. Most evidence on the potential long-term adverse effects of cannabis derives from its recreational use, which may not readily apply to medicinal cannabis use. Recreational cannabis is unregulated and contains high concentrations of THC, which is exploited for the specific purpose of intoxication. However, medicinal cannabis is regulated by specific manufacturing standards and is prescribed under medical supervision using strict dosing regimens. Further, studies on the adverse effects of recreational cannabis involved smoking as the dominant route of administration, which is not recommended in a medicinal cannabis setting. Cannabis smoking also encompasses mixing cannabis flower with tobacco, which further complicates interpretation of studies on the harms of recreational cannabis. It must also be recognised that most of the evidence on the adverse effects of recreational cannabis use relies on observational, population-based studies, which may include multiple confounders and cannot unequivocally infer causation. All these limitations must be kept in mind when evaluating the existing evidence. In time there will be better evidence for any long-term health impacts of medicinal cannabis more specifically, which is likely to be safer than recreational cannabis.
An excellent evaluation of the long-term toxicity of THC comes from a placebo-controlled randomised controlled trial (RCT) in 329 patients with multiple sclerosis in which THC was administered daily to participants for three years (up to 28 mg/day). This trial concluded that THC has an acceptable safety profile with low-to-moderate toxicity and a low incidence of serious adverse events; there was no difference in the total number of adverse events in the placebo group versus the THC group. The most common adverse effects of THC when compared with placebo were dizziness and light-headedness, and dissociative thinking or perception disorders. More research is needed to address the long-term effects of CBD. Long-term adverse effects of CBD were reported in patients with childhood epilepsy receiving Epidyolex under an expanded access program for up to 144 weeks. The adverse effects were similar to those reported in shorter-term trials, with the most common adverse effects being somnolence (30%) and diarrhoea (24%).
Acute use of cannabis containing THC may impair cognitive and memory function, especially when intoxicating doses of THC are administered. However, evidence for long-term and enduring cognitive and memory dysfunction is highly contentious. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 69 cross-sectional studies in a recreational context found only a small effect size for reduced cognitive functioning in people who used cannabis frequently at high doses for an extended period. The study’s authors questioned the clinical significance of the cognitive impairments for most people who use cannabis. There was no association between cannabis use and reduced cognitive function in studies in which the participants were drug-free for >72 hours, thus suggesting any cognitive impairing effects were reversible.
Some small-scale studies have reported structural abnormalities in the brains of people who used cannabis heavily over a long period of time in a recreational setting. However, these effects were not replicated in larger studies that controlled for confounding variables (eg alcohol use, tobacco use). A high-profile article reported that long-term cannabis use commencing in adolescence reduced IQ. However, there were no reductions in IQ in those who commenced use in adulthood and had been abstinent for a year, suggesting adult use does not have any residual effects on cognitive function. Notably, the same authors more recently revised their conclusions, stating that adolescent cannabis use was not responsible for the reductions in IQ, but rather it was explained by familial factors.
In conclusion, the prescription of medicinal cannabis for adults is unlikely to have irreversible adverse effects on cognitive function. Patients should be monitored for acute impairing effects on cognition that might arise with medicinal cannabis containing THC. The effects of CBD products that do not contain THC would be of less concern, as CBD does not appear to affect cognitive function.
Repeated recreational use of street cannabis for the sole purpose of intoxication may lead to cannabis dependence. People who use cannabis recreationally may seek out professional treatment to assist with drug abstinence. Thirteen per cent of people who have used cannabis as a recreational drug will become cannabis dependent. Individuals with cannabis dependence crave the drug, lose control of their drug use and use cannabis for longer periods than intended. Individuals with dependence may also experience a cannabis withdrawal syndrome when they abstain from cannabis use, although this is mild when compared with syndromes associated with alcohol, benzodiazepines or heroin. Cannabis withdrawal promotes symptoms of insomnia, depression, anxiety and gastrointestinal disturbance that may last 48–72 hours. Overall, cannabis has mild-to-moderate addictive liability. The issue of cannabis dependence in those using it purely for medicinal purposes has yet to be adequately studied. It may be that medicinal use of cannabis, where intoxication is not the primary aim, may be less susceptible to any habit-forming effects of THC. CBD is not habit-forming.
Acute cannabis-induced psychosis has been documented but is rare. Of more concern is the link between cannabis use and schizophrenia. Human population studies suggest that there is a dose-dependent increase in the risk of developing schizophrenia in those who commence cannabis use during adolescence as a recreational drug. Some argue against the view that cannabis causes schizophrenia by citing that the rapid increase in global cannabis use in recent decades has not translated into an increased incidence of schizophrenia. Most agree that cannabis does not directly cause schizophrenia, but rather cannabis may be permissive to schizophrenia in individuals who are already vulnerable.
It must be emphasised that the vast majority of people who use cannabis will never develop a psychotic disorder. It has been estimated that 4700 young people would need to be dissuaded from cannabis use to prevent a single case of schizophrenia. In any case, doctors should not prescribe medicinal cannabis with THC content to patients who have a known sensitivity to cannabis or to those who have a personal or family history of schizophrenia or psychotic disorders. Interestingly, purified CBD has antipsychotic properties in humans.
There are rare case reports of long-term, heavy recreational cannabis use promoting severe nausea and vomiting, which is known as the cannabis hyperemesis syndrome. The syndrome is associated with compulsive bathing behaviour and resolves on cessation of cannabis use. Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome appears to be mediated by THC, and there is no evidence of CBD causing the syndrome. There have been no reports of cannabis hyperemesis occurring in patients taking medicinal cannabis, which may be due to lower doses of THC being prescribed.
With over 1,000 natural medicine products currently available in Australia and Tasmania, patients have access to a wide range of potential treatments. At our clinic, we are committed to ensuring that all treatment decisions are made with your best interests in mind. We do not have financial relationships with medication producers, nor do we promote any specific range of natural medications. This allows us to carefully consider all available options and select the most appropriate treatment for your unique needs.
Our clinic is purely funded by the consultation fees that you pay, which means that our prescribing decisions are never influenced by external financial incentives. Unlike other clinics that may be motivated to prescribe more expensive medications that benefit the clinic, we focus solely on your health and well-being. We believe this approach not only fosters trust but also ensures that you receive the most effective and cost-efficient treatment available.
By prioritizing transparency and ethical practices, we provide you with a treatment plan based on clinical evidence and your individual needs—without hidden costs or conflicts of interest.
You can fill your prescription in Tasmania only if you see Dr Tom or Dr Dup, as they are both based in Tasmania. For our other doctors, who are based in Victoria and New South Wales, they aren't able to apply for the special permit needed for Tasmanian pharmacies to legally dispense the medications due to state regulations. But don’t worry! We can recommend interstate pharmacies that offer recommended retail prices and free express postage, which many of our patients find more convenient than going into a pharmacy in person.
If your medication only contains CBD (with no THC), you’re good to drive in any State or Territory in Australia.
If your medication has any THC in it, though, it’s best not to drive. In Australia, having a detectable level of THC while driving can lead to fines, a conviction, or even the loss of your license.
Patient interested in changing these laws should visit Drive Change
Yes. In Australia you are free to travel with your prescribed medications and to use them as prescribed anywhere in Australia. We suggest keeping your medications in the original packaging that it comes in from the chemist, and to ensure that the pharmacy label is clearly visible on the packaging still.
Under no circumstances should you take your medication overseas. You will be subject to the laws and customs regulations of the country you are traveling to, and the vast majority of countries have strict penalties for importing medications. Please remember, your medication is only legal for use within Australia.
We understand that sometimes things come up unexpectedly. Therefore you can cancel up to 1 hour before your appointment via HotDoc or just call reception to let us know you won't be able to make it.
If you are not contactable during your appointment time, and you have not cancelled your appointment, your will be charged the full fee of either $139 for an initial consult or $89 for a follow up consultation.
You will then be free to book another appointment which will also attract the normal consultation fee.
If you are not contactable during your appointment time, and you have not cancelled your appointment, you will be charged the full fee of either $139 for an initial consult or $89 for a follow up consultation. Our doctors will try at least 3 separate times to call you during your appointment time and will leave messages where possible.
You can cancel your appointment via HotDocs or you can call us without any fee. If we don't answer the phone just leave a voice message advising us of your cancellation.
You will then be free to book another appointment which will attract the normal consultation fee.
Patients have questions, we have answers. We will display the most frequently asked questions, so everybody benefits.
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