Medical Cannabis Telehealth in Australia

Clinical considerations used by Australian doctors during telehealth consultations

Medical cannabis is not considered a first-line treatment in Australia. During a telehealth consultation, an authorised clinician assesses whether its use may be clinically appropriate based on established medical and regulatory considerations.

Medical cannabis may be considered when:

Conventional treatment options have been explored

Medical cannabis is typically reviewed after standard therapies have been trialled or deemed unsuitable, ineffective, or poorly tolerated for the individual patient.

Symptoms remain persistent or significantly impact daily functioning

The focus is not solely on diagnosis, but on the severity, duration, and functional impact of symptoms on quality of life.

The patient’s medical history supports a potential therapeutic benefit

Clinicians assess prior treatments, response history, comorbidities, and current medications to determine whether a cannabinoid-based therapy may be reasonable.

The treatment aligns with Australian prescribing frameworks

All prescribing decisions are made in accordance with Australian regulations, including Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) requirements and state-based clinical guidance.

A clinician determines that the treatment is clinically appropriate

Eligibility does not guarantee a prescription. The final decision is based on individual clinical judgement, safety considerations, and whether potential benefits outweigh risks.

Medical cannabis is prescribed only where clinically justified and monitored as part of an ongoing care plan.

See how medical cannabis telehealth consultations work