New Patient Information
A one-stop guide to medicinal cannabis, safety information, and Herbly policies for new patients.
Overview
Welcome to Herbly! As a new patient, we’ll guide you safely through medicinal cannabis treatment with a clear, step-by-step approach.
Medicinal cannabis may help relieve symptoms for certain conditions. Responses vary between individuals. Your clinician will tailor your plan and monitor results over time.
Regulatory Status in Australia
- Products currently available are not registered on the ARTG.
- This means their quality and effectiveness have not been fully evaluated by the TGA.
👉 Herbly strictly complies with all state and territory laws. This includes using government real-time prescription monitoring services (RTPM) to safeguard against harmful medication interactions and ensure we meet the legal requirements in both your location and ours.
Prescribing Appropriately and Safely
We treat medicinal cannabis with the same level of care and diligence as any other controlled medication, ensuring every prescription is clinically appropriate and safe for you.
👉 Herbly obtains all necessary approvals from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) before issuing a prescription.
Understanding Benefits & Efficacy
Understanding of Benefits: Medicinal cannabis may help with symptoms such as pain, sleep problems, muscle stiffness, nausea, or anxiety (depending on your condition). Many patients find it can improve quality of life, but every person responds differently.
Efficacy: Even when prescribed carefully and in line with medical guidelines, medicinal cannabis may not always give the results you hope for. Some patients feel noticeable improvements, while others may experience little or no benefit. Your doctor will work with you to review your progress and adjust your treatment if needed.
Start Low, Go Slow (New Patients)
For new patients, we take a cautious approach to ensure safety and comfort:
- Lower starting doses or small quantities of THC are prescribed first.
- Your progress is reviewed in 2-4 weeks, so we can check how you’re feeling.
- Repeats and adjustments may be made at your follow-up.
👉 This approach helps minimise side effects and makes it easier to find the right balance for you.
Why CBD Is Prescribed Alongside THC
When prescribing medicinal cannabis, it is common practice and in many cases a safety requirement to include CBD (cannabidiol) alongside THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).
CBD plays an important role in moderating the effects of THC. While THC is the compound primarily responsible for pain relief, relaxation, and other therapeutic benefits, it can also produce side effects such as anxiety, dizziness, or unwanted psychoactive experiences. CBD helps to balance these effects, reducing potential risks while enhancing the overall therapeutic outcome.
👉 By prescribing CBD with THC, doctors ensure a safer, more stable, and more effective treatment plan, giving patients access to the benefits of medicinal cannabis with added protection and peace of mind.
Potential Side Effects
Side effects vary in type and severity. Report any concerns to your clinician.
| Common / Reported | Examples |
|---|---|
| Sedation & fatigue | Sedation, lethargy, fatigue, drowsiness, dizziness |
| Gastrointestinal | Dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea |
| Neurocognitive | Disorientation, agitation, balance problems, memory changes |
| Psychological | Paranoid delusions or hallucinations |
Drug Interactions
Medicinal cannabis can sometimes change the way your body processes other medications. This doesn’t mean you can’t take it safely, but it does mean your doctor may need to adjust your other medications to make sure everything works well together.
⬇️ What to tell your doctor during the consult 🖱️(tap to expand)
- All prescription medicines (name and dose)
- Over-the-counter products (e.g., pain relief, antihistamines)
- Supplements & herbal products
- Alcohol, nicotine, or other substance use
Absolute Contraindications (Reasons to Avoid THC)
-
Mental Health:
- Personal or strong family history of psychosis or bipolar disorder
- Personal history of psychosis
-
Cardiovascular Disease:
- Unstable cardiovascular disease
- History of myocardial infarction (heart attack)
- Angina
-
Reproductive Health:
- Pregnancy, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
-
Age:
- Under 18 years of age
-
Other Conditions:
- Significant liver or kidney disease
- Respiratory disease (especially if the cannabis is smoked)
Treatment Exclusions for THC Products
For patient safety, Herbly cannot prescribe THC-containing treatments if any of the following apply:
- You are enrolled on the Opioid Substitution Program (e.g. methadone).
- You are currently prescribed antipsychotic medication.
⬇️ Quick self-check 🖱️(tap to expand)
| Are you enrolled on the opioid substitution program? | If yes → THC ineligible |
| Are you currently prescribed anti-psychotic medication? | If yes → THC ineligible |
If either applies, speak with your clinician about CBD-only or alternative options.
Consultation Expectations
To avoid confusion after your appointment, your doctor or nurse practitioner will explain all important details during the consult.
By the end of your appointment, you should know:
- Whether a prescription is being issued.
- What medication you’ve been prescribed.
- What the next steps will look like.
👉 If anything is unclear or missed, don’t worry - we can book you back in for a quick follow-up so your doctor can provide clarification.
Do you need a referral/GP health summary?
In some cases, especially if you are taking other prescription medications, we may request a health summary from your GP before we can prescribe medication.
This helps us:
- Confirm your medical history.
- Understand your current prescriptions.
- Ensure your treatment with medicinal cannabis is safe and appropriate.
👉 Your GP can provide this quickly via email, and it allows us to give you the best possible care.
Vape Cartridge Prescriptions for New Patients
If your first prescription includes a vape cartridge:
- You may also need to purchase a vape battery pen to use it. These are available to order at the same time as your prescription.
- If you have questions about device use or ordering, our admin team is here to help guide you through the process.