This accredited course provides doctors with a comprehensive introduction to the clinical and regulatory foundations of medical cannabis prescribing in Australia. As patient interest in cannabinoid-based therapies increases, it is essential for prescribers to be equipped with evidence-informed knowledge and practical skills to navigate this evolving space safely and effectively. Through this program, participants will explore the endocannabinoid system and its relevance to human physiology, examine the pharmacology of key cannabis constituents, and gain practical insight into initiating, monitoring, and titrating medical cannabis products. The course also addresses the Australian regulatory landscape and offers guidance on assessing patient suitability, facilitating informed discussions, and applying critical safety considerations in clinical practice. Designed to support evidence-based decision-making, this course empowers doctors to responsibly consider medical cannabis as part of a broader, patient-centred approach to managing chronic symptoms and conditions. Preview this course by watching the video above. Estimated Duration: 5 hours Access Duration: 12 months from date of purchase Learning Outcomes Upon completion of this module, you’ll be able to: Describe cannabis medicines accurately and demonstrate an understanding of the individual chemical components of the plant. Demonstrate an understanding of endocannabinoid system function. Assess the suitability of cannabis treatments in various chronic disease states. Identify appropriate patient cohorts for medical cannabis treatment. Facilitate clinical discussions with patients around medical cannabis as a therapeutic option in symptom management. Initiate, monitor and titrate cannabinoid medicines.  Apply critical safety considerations in patient-centred care. Navigate the regulatory frameworks surrounding medical cannabis provision in Australia. 

Medical cannabis use has expanded significantly in recent years,1 offering potential relief for many common conditions and symptoms such as chronic pain, nausea and vomiting, muscle spasms, sleep problems, epilepsy and some mental health conditions.2 While medical cannabis is generally considered to be "well tolerated," health practitioners and professionals must still maintain up-to-date knowledge on key considerations, including:3,4 Legislative contraindications and safety advice Potential adverse effects Drug-to-drug interactions Social and lifestyle impacts This module explores the safety profile and clinical contraindications of medical cannabis within the Australian healthcare setting. Designed for healthcare professionals, it covers key regulatory frameworks, TGA prescribing guidance, and access pathways. Learn to recognise when medical cannabis may be unsuitable, identify potential drug interactions, understand adverse effects, and address concerns such as cognitive impairment, dependence, and driving safety. By the end of this module, you'll be able to apply regulatory knowledge, assess patient suitability, and explain the physiological and behavioural effects associated with medical cannabis use. Preview this module by watching the video above. Estimated Duration: 1 hours Access Duration: 12 months from date of purchase Learning Outcomes Upon completion of this module, you’ll be able to: Identify the primary regulatory bodies overseeing medical cannabis in Australia and explain their roles Explain the origins and scope of the TGA's prescribing guidance documents Describe the current status of medical cannabis products in Australia and identify the TGA's access pathways for unapproved goods Identify conditions for which medical cannabis is contraindicated and associated risks Recount TGA-recommended information to include in a clinical assessment Discuss potential drug-drug interactions in medical cannabis treatment and their underlying mechanisms Explain the safety profile of medical cannabis and potential side effects Describe how THC may affect driving safety and summarise the resulting legislation and guidelines Compare THC’s potential impact on driving with that of other substances Describe cannabis' addictive potential and highlight relevant research gaps in this area Detail the symptoms, mechanisms of action, and potential impacts of cannabis dependence and cannabis use disorder Describe the symptoms of cannabis withdrawal and consider possible treatment options Explain the potential cognitive effects of cannabis use References Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. (2024, February 10). Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency - Regulators come together as one million Australians turn to medicinal cannabis treatments. Retrieved from www.ahpra.gov.au website: https://www.ahpra.gov.au/News/2024-02-20-medical-cannabis-treatment.aspx(Therapeutic Goods Administration, 2024) Therapeutic Goods Administration. (2024a, March 1). Medicinal cannabis: access pathways and usage data. Retrieved December 5, 2024, from Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) website: https://www.tga.gov.au/products/unapproved-therapeutic-goods/medicinal-cannabis-hub/medicinal-cannabis-access-pathways-and-usage-data#patient-access-via-the-special-access-scheme-sas-and-authorised-prescriber-ap-pathway Arnold, J. C. (2021). A primer on medicinal cannabis safety and potential adverse effects. Retrieved from Australian Journal of General Practice website: https://www1.racgp.org.au/ajgp/2021/june/a-primer-on-medicinal-cannabis-safety-and-potentiaTherapeutic Goods Administration, 2024b) Therapeutic Goods Administration. (2024b, November 28). Guidance for the use of medicinal cannabis in Australia: Overview. Retrieved from Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) website: https://www.tga.gov.au/resources/resource/reference-material/guidance-use-medicinal-cannabis-australia-overview

This microcredential offers healthcare professionals an in-depth look at how medical cannabis can be integrated into the management of chronic pain in complex patient cases. Through real-world scenarios, this microcredential highlights the therapeutic potential of cannabis while addressing concerns related to coexisting conditions, medication interactions, and patient quality of life. This microcredential includes: Clinical Case Study - ADHD Symptoms and Chronic Pain: Explore how medical cannabis helped Hayley, a 37-year-old patient with combined-type ADHD and chronic pain, manage her attention, anxiety, sleep, and physical discomfort. Clinical Case Study - Chronic Pain & Hepatic Dysfunction: Follow Stephen, a 56-year-old with hepatic fibrosis, as his healthcare team safely incorporated medical cannabis into his treatment plan for chronic back pain and gout, restoring his active lifestyle. Clinical Case Study - Chronic Pain, Insomnia & Cardiac Issues: Delve into Jen’s case, a 60-year-old with complex regional pain syndrome and stable cardiovascular disease, who found relief from chronic pain and insomnia through carefully managed medical cannabis treatment. Clinical Case Study - MS-Associated Chronic Pain and Spasticity: Examine how Johanna, a 39-year-old with multiple sclerosis, addressed her neuropathic pain and spasticity using an affordable, well-balanced cannabis treatment plan, overcoming challenges related to her other medications and financial constraints. This microcredential is designed to enhance practitioners’ understanding of medical cannabis' role in improving patient outcomes in chronic pain management, even in complex clinical scenarios. Preview this module by watching the video above. Estimated Duration: 4 hours Access Duration: 12 months from date of purchase Learning Outcomes Upon completion of this module, you’ll be able to: Demonstrate an understanding of the role of medical cannabis in managing chronic pain in patients with coexisting conditions like ADHD, hepatic dysfunction, cardiac issues, and multiple sclerosis. Evaluate real-world case studies to assess cannabis' therapeutic potential for symptom management. Apply critical safety considerations and risk mitigation strategies for patients with hepatic and cardiac concerns. Discuss potential drug-drug interactions and the safe use of medical cannabis in complex patient cases. Facilitate patient-centered discussions around medical cannabis for chronic pain, addressing sleep and psychological symptoms. Devise tailored cannabis treatment plans that consider patient safety, minimise risk, and enhance quality of life in complex cases.

This course is an intermediate-level exploration of how to tailor medical cannabis treatment for patients by considering their prior exposure to cannabis (medical or otherwise). With a focus on identifying patients' exposure levels, doctors will learn to customise care and treatment to safely and effectively unlock the therapeutic benefits of medical cannabis. Over the course of 7 modules, discover cannabis’ interactions with the body, as well as the key identifiers, considerations and recommendations for offering safe and effective treatment. Examine the biological composition of cannabis and its pharmacological interactions with the body, gaining insight into how prior exposure affects tolerance and experience. This course forms part of a comprehensive learning path covering factors to consider when offering medical cannabis care and treatment. Preview this course by watching the video above. Estimated Duration: 6 hours Access Duration: 12 months from date of purchase Learning Outcomes Upon completion of this module, you’ll be able to: Identify cannabis’ biological constituents and explain their effects on the body Explain how the endocannabinoid system (ECS) maintains homeostasis and describe cannabis’ interactions with the ECS, including how exposure affects endocannabinoid tone Identify the 2 dimensions of prior cannabis exposure, and explain how to identify them in patients Explain how prior exposure may impact treatment goals and discuss considerations and recommendations for setting personalised treatment goals based on prior exposure Identify and describe common medical cannabis products and explain the considerations and recommendations for product selection based on prior cannabis exposure Discuss general recommendations for dosage and titration based on patient’s prior cannabis exposure

This module provides healthcare practitioners with a comprehensive understanding of the biological components of medical cannabis and their therapeutic potential. As cannabis becomes more widely accepted, it's essential to grasp how its taxonomy, strains, chemovars, and key compounds interact within the body to provide treatment benefits. Through this module, practitioners will learn how to identify cannabis' taxonomic status, discuss the key components of strains, and explain how cannabinoids and terpenes affect the body. You'll also explore the factors that influence cannabis' effects and how practitioners can adjust treatment to account for clinical and individual patient factors, risks, and contraindications. Preview this module by watching the video above. Estimated Duration: 1 hour Access Duration: 12 months from date of purchase Learning Outcomes Upon completion of this module, you’ll be able to: Identify cannabis' taxonomic status Identify and discuss key components of strains and chemovars Identify key compounds in medical cannabis and explain their potential interactions and effects within the body Describe the factors that impact medical cannabis' effects within the body Explain how practitioners may adjust medical cannabis treatment to account for clinical and individual factors, risks and contraindications

While medical cannabis is an effective treatment option for many patients, it’s considered an unapproved good on the TGA’s schedule of drugs. This course is designed to equip healthcare professionals with the skills, knowledge and confidence to navigate the TGA’s Special Access Scheme (SAS) and apply to prescribe medical cannabis to suitable individual patients on a case by case basis using the SAS-B pathway.  We’ll also delve into the broader legal and ethical considerations of prescribing medical cannabis as a treatment option, including risk-mitigation strategies so you can start prescribing medical cannabis to your eligible patients as soon as possible. Preview this module by watching the video above. Estimated Duration: 1 hour Access Duration: 12 months from date of purchase Learning Outcomes Upon completion of this module, you’ll be able to: Define unapproved good Describe different pathways for accessing and prescribing unapproved goods Explain the differences and correct use of the SAS and Authorised prescriber pathways Apply to prescribe medical cannabis for individual patients using the SAS-B pathway Explain the legal and ethical considerations, and risk-mitigation strategies when prescribing medical cannabis via the SAS-B pathway

At the time of publishing, there are currently two approved medical cannabis treatments on the ARTG: Nabiximols (Sativex) – Approved to improve symptoms related to spasticity in people with MS, reporting lack of efficacy from other anti-sacity treatments² Cannabidiol (Epidyolex) – Approved as an adjunct treatment severe and rare forms of epilepsy in children aged 2+4 Yet, for those who are seriously ill, medical cannabis may offer subjective relief for a wide range of symptoms such as; chronic pain, nausea and vomiting; sleep and appetite disturbances, depressed mood  & stress where other treatments have been unable to provide effective relief.³⁴ Registered medical practitioners may apply for access to unapproved therapeutic goods via the TGA through the following pathways:¹ Special access scheme (SAS) – provide access for an individual patient on a case-by-case basis Authorised prescriber scheme (AP) – provide access for multiple patients with the same condition In cases where approved medications are unsuitable or ineffective, Australian healthcare practitioners can access unapproved therapeutic goods, such as medical cannabis, through the Special Access Scheme A (SAS-A) or the Authorised Prescriber (AP) pathways. This module explores these pathways, outlines approved and unapproved medical cannabis treatments, and provides insight into their potential role in managing symptoms for seriously ill patients. Preview this module by watching the video above. Estimated Duration: 1.25 hours Access Duration: 12 months from date of purchase Learning Outcomes Upon completion of this module, you’ll be able to: Clarify the purpose of the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) Outline the categories of unregistered therapeutic goods Identify and explain the regulated access pathways for unapproved goods Summarise the purpose and eligibility criteria for each category of the Special Access Scheme (SAS), including SAS-A, SAS-B, and SAS-C Define the term seriously ill as it pertains to SAS-A Complete the online SAS form to notify the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and the relevant state or territory authorities regarding the medical cannabis prescription Discuss prescribing practitioner considerations and obligations for providing medical cannabis treatment References ¹ Therapeutic Goods Administration. “Prescribe an Unapproved Therapeutic Good (Health Practitioners).” Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), 14 Dec. 2022, www.tga.gov.au/products/unapproved-therapeutic-goods/prescribe-unapproved-therapeutic-good-health-practitioners. ² Therapeutic Goods Administration. Sativex Oromucosal Spray, Nabiximols 80 mg/mL Pump Actuated Metered Dose Aerosol (181978). Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Published May 26, 2022. Accessed October 2, 2024. https://www.tga.gov.au/resources/artg/181978 ³ Herbert A, Hardy J. Medicinal Cannabis Use in Palliative Care. Australian Journal of General Practice. 2021;50(6):363-368. doi:https://doi.org/10.31128/ajgp-02-21-5831 ⁴ Therapeutic Goods Administration. Guidance for the Use of Medicinal Cannabis in the Treatment of Palliative Care Patients in Australia. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Published June 23, 2023. Accessed October 2, 2024. https://www.tga.gov.au/resources/resource/reference-material/guidance-use-medicinal-cannabis-treatment-palliative-care-patients-australia