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Dr Norman Swan

Current evidence base for medicinal cannabis in epilepsy and palliative care with Dr Norman Swan produced in association with Tonic Health Media

Can I drive while using medicinal cannabis?

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Travelling with Medicinal Cannabis

Australians love to travel both within and outside of Australia. Carrying medicinal cannabis can create feelings of uncertainty, given the lack of knowledge in the general community including those responsible for keeping us safe in airports, shipping terminals, bus and train stations.

Generally, there is no test for CBD products, however, THC products can be detected by sniffer dogs and drug tests at airports.

Planning ahead will reduce anxiety about carrying medicinal cannabis across borders and ensure you are following the laws of the country you are leaving and those of your destination.
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Understanding potential drug to drug interactions

Just about all chemical compounds, including prescription, over-the-counter and herbal formulations and some foods can potentially interact with each other. And cannabis-based products are no different.

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Who can carry medicinal cannabis?

A patient or their carer may receive, possess and administer a cannabis medicine which has been legally imported/manufactured and prescribed for the patient.

Cannabis medicines must be packaged and labelled as Schedule 8 drugs unless it is a Schedule 4 cannabidiol product.

Medical Cannabis Factsheets

Cannabis factsheet

Cannabinoids in epilepsy factsheet

Books and movies

We are always being asked which books to read to learn about medicinal cannabis.

We have pulled together some books and movies that you may find helpful. We will add to this list as we come across good resources.

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Administration Routes

Pros and Cons of Medicinal Cannabis Edibles

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Vaping vs Smoking

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Administration Routes Comparison Table

Method

Inhalation

Ingestion

Sublingual

Topical

Forms

  • Vape
  • Smoke
  • Floss
  • Oil

  • Capsule
  • Oil
  • Juicing
  • Edibles

  • Drops
  • Spray
  • Lozenge
  • Wafer
  • Tincture
  • Oil

  • Cream
  • Gel
  • Salve

Absorption

Lungs

Stomach and/or small intestine

Through oral mucosa into bloodstream

At external local application site

Bioavailability

  • THC ~ 5-35%
  • CBD ~ 31%
  • Almost immediate

THC/CBD ~4-20% ~2-6 hrs after Ingestion

Studies of bioavailability not available

Studies of bioavailability not available

Onset

Rapid

90 mins

15-60 mins

unknown

Peak

30 mins

2-3 hrs

1-2 hrs

unknown

Duration

1-4 hrs

6-8 hrs

1-4 hrs

unknown

Comments

Vaping is recommended over smoking

Absorption impacted by stomach contents, carrier medium, type of capsule – some capsules designed to increase bioavailability

Important to hold under the tongue rather than swallow to increase absorption directly into blood stream

Can be used on rashes. Does not penetrate the deeper layers of the aqueous skin efficiently. Does not cause any ‘high’ related to THC.

Inhalation

Forms
  • Vape
  • Smoke
  • Floss
  • Oil
Absorption
Lungs
Bioavailability
  • THC ~ 5-35%
  • CBD ~ 31%
  • Almost immediate
Onset
Rapid
Peak
30 mins
Duration
1-4 hrs
Comments
Vaping is recommended over smoking

Ingestion

Forms
  • Capsule
  • Oil
  • Juicing
  • Edibles
Absorption
Stomach and/or small intestine
Bioavailability
THC/CBD ~4-20% ~2-6 hrs after Ingestion
Onset
90 mins
Peak
2-3 hrs
Duration
6-8 hrs
Comments
Absorption impacted by stomach contents, carrier medium, type of capsule – some capsules designed to increase bioavailability

Sublingual

Forms
  • Drops
  • Spray
  • Lozenge
  • Wafer
  • Tincture
  • Oil
Absorption
Through oral mucosa into bloodstream
Bioavailability
Studies of bioavailability not available
Onset
15-60 mins
Peak
1-2 hrs
Duration
1-4 hrs
Comments
Important to hold under the tongue rather than swallow to increase absorption directly into blood stream

Topical

Forms
  • Cream
  • Gel
  • Salve
Absorption
At external local application site
Bioavailability
Studies of bioavailability not available
Onset
unknown
Peak
unknown
Duration
unknown
Comments
Can be used on rashes. Does not penetrate the deeper layers of the aqueous skin efficiently. Does not cause any ‘high’ related to THC.

Published Academic Articles

Efficacy and adverse event profile of cannabidiol and medicinal cannabis for treatment-resistant epilepsy: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Epilepsy & Behaviour 2020

Medicinal Cannabis and Epilepsy

Efficacy and safety of cannabidivarin treatment of epilepsy in girls with Rett syndrome: A phase 1 clinical trial

Epilepsia 2022

Medicinal Cannabis and Epilepsy Syndromes

Efficacy and safety of medical cannabinoids in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Scientific Reports, Dec 2021

Medicinal Cannabis Studies
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Recorded Lectures and Interviews

Recorded lectures by eminent international researchers, physicians and advocates in the world of medicinal cannabis

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