The Leaf THE LEAF November-December 2017 | Page 19

Medicinal Cannabis access scheme stalls as doctors remain hesitant, sceptical
By Tim Morgan 5.10.17
The ABC understands just one specialist has
so far been prepared to apply for the
controlled access scheme, with the paperwork
taking three to four hours to complete per
patient.
GPs have also been hesitant to refer patients
to a relevant medical specialist, as required as
part of the procedures.
The first month of the Tasmanian
Government's Medicinal Cannabis Controlled
Access Scheme is being bogged down in
hours of paperwork and confusion over how
it is meant to operate.
Since the scheme started on September 1 the
Health Department has received just three
applications from medical specialists with
none yet approved.
A Multiple sclerosis sufferer told the ABC he
asked his specialist to apply for approval from
the department but was denied.
"My neurologist refuses to prescribe, he says
there's not enough research, not enough
evidence, he's not at all willing,"
"Even after the first of September when it
became legal for him to prescribe, he still has
refused because he is still saying there is not
enough research for him." She said.
Who can get medicinal marijuana?
The Federal Government has approved the
sale of medicinal marijuana. But it still won't
be easy for people to get a prescription.
The problem is no one is prepared to prescribe
it at all and what’s being used is the black
market.
No one seems to knows how to access the
scheme'
One woman receiving palliative care for
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, an
irreversible lung condition that causes
asthma-like symptoms, started using cannabis
two years ago to assist her breathing and was
initially hopeful of being referred by her
doctor.
"I spoke to my GP and he can't prescribe it
and he's not sure of anyone who can prescribe
it or knows enough about it to prescribe it,"
she said.
"I haven't been able to access the scheme
because there is no one who really knows how
to access it”
"All this should have been sorted out before
the Government put this thing in place."
'Unified national approach needed'
Dr Bastian Seidel of the Royal College of
General Practitioners said such anecdotes
were not surprising as patients and GPs
remain confused over how the scheme works.
"There has been limited information from the
Tasmanian Government and the Tasmanian
Health Service as to how patients can be
referred," he said.
"Patients that potentially would benefit from
medicinal cannabis still don't get it," says Dr
Seidel.
"It really is quite difficult for GPs to refer to
the appropriate organisation or the
appr