Safety and Contraindications in Medical Cannabis

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

1. 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)

2. 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

3. 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)

4. 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

To access this resource, you'll need to redeem your learning credit(s). Once redeemed, the resource will be available in your learning portal.

We have included a complimentary, pre-filled CPD recording template. Learners who wish to claim CPD credits upon completion of this activity may complete this template and submit it to their relevant CPD home or accrediting body for CPD recognition.