Buying CBD Oil In Australia
Cannabis (hemp) is known to have therapeutic and wellness benefits and is becoming a very popular plant based medicine. Medical cannabis oil (CBD oil) is approved for patients in Australia, and if you’re considering buying CBD oil, NectarTek can help with the best product for you.
There is some misunderstanding of the regulations around buying CBD oil legally in Australia, if it can be bought over the counter without a script as well as how this product differs from hemp oil. NectarTek is here to help you understand this popular cannabinoid and give advice to anyone considering buying CBD oil.
CBD Oil explained
CBD Oil (cannabidiol) is a type of plant chemical (phytocannabinoid) found in the cannabis plant. CBD products are prescription medicines in Australia. The products are manufactured under stringent regulations to ensure consistent high-quality and therapeutic efficacy. CBD can trigger a range of endocannabinoid system actions in the human body for regulating and improving a number of functions, including:
- Sleep
- Mood
- Appetite
- Memory
CBD Oil doesn’t cause psychoactive effects such as the euphoric high associated with THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), another component of the hemp plant. CBD Oil is extracted from the cannabis plant and manufactured by mixing with a carrier oil such as hemp, olive, or MCT oil. CBD Oil can be ingested sublingually (under the tongue), topically (on the skin), in capsules or mixed with food or drinks.
CBD Terminology
Cannabinoids (e.g. THC and CBD) are created mostly by the flowers, and also by the leaves of the hemp plant. There are trace amounts in the stalks. The plant cannabis sativa contains more than 400 natural chemical compounds. At least 114 of these are classed as cannabinoids.
Cannabinoids are a type of chemical that interacts with the endocannabinoid system in the human body to produce a wide range of effects. The endocannabinoid system is a signalling network that controls various functions in the human body. The messaging molecules in this system are called endocannabinoids.
Endocannabinoids are very similar to the cannabinoids in Cannabis. Endocannabinoids are manufactured internally by the body and phytocannabinoids are manufactured by the plant. Both endocannabinoids and phytocannabinoids bind to receptors within the body.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a cannabinoid that is not intoxicating and will not get you ‘high’.
Benefits of CBD Oil
The miraculous benefits of CBD Oil are far reaching, with medical and therapeutic discoveries continuing to this day. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) of Australia provides guidance on medicinal cannabis oil preparations including CBD oil for 5 key conditions and more than 50 conditions overall. The 5 key conditions are:
- Paediatric and young adult epilepsy
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Management of nausea and vomiting, especially in chemotherapy setting
- Chronic non-cancer pain
- Palliative care
Other medical conditions CBD Oil may help with
Apart from the 5 conditions mentioned above, there is extensive evidence to suggest positive effects of CBD Oil for addressing a wide-range of health conditions. Although considered very safe to use in general, it should be noted that cannabis oil products aren’t suitable for everyone and their use is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Here are a few of the ways CBD Oil may be helpful.
Epilepsy: Evidence suggests that CBD oil can assist as an anti-seizure and anti-spasmolytic product. Studies show that CBD oil has the potential to reduce the frequency of seizures in both adults and children.
Anxiety and Depression: CBD oil can be prescribed as a therapeutic medication for improvement of mood or psychological disorders. CBD is known to reduce anxiety and may have mood-elevating qualities.
Insomnia: CBD oil is well known as a treatment for insomnia. CBD oil along with some other cannabinoids are used for a relaxing and sedating effect, without affecting cognition or alertness the following day.
Chronic Pain: CBD oil is approved by the TGA for assisting chronic pain patients in Australia. Cannabinoids interact with the brain allowing the active ingredients to control and alleviate chronic pain.
Cancer: CBD oil is known to have positive impacts for people undertaking chemotherapy treatment. It’s often prescribed to alleviate symptoms of nausea, anorexia and anxiety. Research is ongoing regarding the ability of CBD oil to regulate cell growth in cancer models.
Other conditions: The scope and potential benefits of CBD oil for both physical and mental health is far reaching. Other conditions with potential to be treated with CBD oil include:
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Appetite disorders
- Endometriosis
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Inflammatory conditions.
Provide simple and affordable care
As a Medical Cannabis Industry Australia (MCIA) member, NectarTek is a trusted source for cannabis products that provide simple and affordable care. The best CBD oil can assist with wellness and recovery for a long list of conditions and ailments. We are dedicated to working with highly qualified cannabis doctors and pharmacists who understand the benefits of CBD oil and other plant-based therapies.
The best CBD extract products are manufactured without pesticides and don’t contain dangerous levels of heavy metals or other contaminants. Common CBD products include:
- Oils
- Gummies and edibles
- Topicals such as lotions, creams, tinctures, ointments and balms
- CBD capsules and pills
- Vaping liquid, mist sprays, droppers and more
Are you a Doctor looking to supply your patients with the highest quality medicinals cannabis available?We are dedicated to working with highly qualified cannabis doctors and pharmacists who understand the benefits of CBD oil and other plant-based therapies.
Learn more about plant based therapies
It’s worth understanding that plant based hemp seed oil food and cosmetic products sold over the counter in Australia are not a viable source of CBD compared to their prescription medicine counterparts. Food and cosmetic products are restricted to less than 5mg/kg of CBD (0.0075% CBD).
Additionally, CBD oil is often made with hemp oil as the carrier oil. This means medically prescribed CBD oil products have different cannabidiol quantities than food and cosmetic products made with food-grade hemp oil.
NectarTek partners will highly qualified cannabis doctors who are authorised to give medical advice and prescribe the right CBD oil product and potency for a range of conditions. Your can purchase with confidence knowing that your CBD oil has undergone third-party testing and quality control to meet highest product standards.
Accessing plant based medicines
CBD oil in Australia can be purchased at your local pharmacy, but first you will need a prescription from a medical professional. Your purchase will be coordinated between the prescribing doctor and dispensing pharmacy. There are more than 2,500 doctors Australia-wide prescribing medicinal cannabis and almost 200 of these are APs who can write medicinal cannabis scripts for patients without waiting for TGA approval.
Prescribing plant based medicine
It remains illegal in Australia to purchase CBD oil not prescribed by a medical professional. Illegal manufacturers cannot guarantee accurate dosage or safety as the products may not comply with Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) standards. NectarTek offers a safe and convenient pathway to well-being with quality products certified by third-party lab testing. Here’s how we do it in three simple steps.
1. Check Eligibility – Complete our simple 3-step online questionnaire and within minutes see if you’re eligible.
2. Doctor Consult – If eligible you can then book and connect with one of our doctors. Payment is required.
3. Receive Medication – If plant-based medicine is right for you, one of our doctors will connect at a time that suits you.
CBD oil can be used for a range of different conditions. The condition or symptom being addressed will determine how CBD oil is used or prescribed. As a general rule with all cannabis medicines, it’s best to start with a low dosage under the supervision of a trained medical professional and slowly increase until the desired level of effect and symptom relief is achieved. Side effects of pure CBD oil are rare. However, if you notice any unwanted symptoms after taking CBD oil you should consult with your medicinal cannabis doctor.
CBD Oil Cost
The price you pay for CBD oil depends mostly on the dosage. Most patients using CBD oil pay between $4-10 per day for their medication. This makes legally prescribed CBD oil cheaper than most non-regulated black market CBD products.
To compare the price of different CBD oil products you will need to calculate per mg as different products vary in concentration.
For example, a 50ml bottle of CBD 50mg/ml will contain 2500mg of CBD whereas a 30ml bottle of CBD 100mg/ml contains 3000mg of CBD. The 30ml is smaller but contains more medication. In a nutshell:
- Legal CBD oil is only available with a doctor’s prescription in Australia.
- Legal CBD products are regulated and tested for quality, safety and consistency.
- Green market (black market) products are often mislabeled and misleading.
- Due to competition, regulated CBD products are often cheaper than black market products.
If your regular doctor is unwilling to prescribe, take a quick eligibility test and book a consultation directly with one of our partner doctors.
How much you will need
Every individual is different and CBD oil dosage is prescribed according to the condition being treated. For example, when treating anxiety CBD oil has the potential to provide feelings of calmness, relaxation and an enhanced mood, but you should start with a low dosage until you find a dosage level that best suits you. As a pain reliever, some people compare CBD oil to ibuprofen, while others experience soothing pain and tension relief akin to taking a warm, relaxing bath. Your treating doctor will oversee your progress and prescribe a dose that’s right for you.
Different types of CBD Oil available
There are three types of CBD oils – full spectrum, broad spectrum and isolate.
Full spectrum CBD oil is produced from the full plant extract containing cannabinoids, terpenes and other compounds occurring naturally in cannabis. Proponents of the ‘entourage effect’ believe the therapeutic potential is high as all the compounds work synergistically for better outcomes.
Broad spectrum CBD oil is full spectrum CBD oil that undergoes additional refinements for removing any trace amounts of THC. CBD Isolate is a further refined product where all minor cannabinoids, terpenes and natural compounds are removed. CBD isolate is an extracted compound that only contains pure CBD.
Can CBD oil products be bought over the counter?
Although the TGA down-scheduled low-dose CBD in Feb 2021, there are currently no TGA approved products that meet the criteria to be sold over the counter. This means patients wanting to access CBD and other medicinal cannabis products legally will still require a doctor’s prescription.
Why the long wait? Because these products require clinical trials and pass a lengthy registration process first to ensure efficacy and patient safety.
What to consider before buying CBD Oil?
Until recently the marijuana industry in Australia was unregulated and most products were illegal. In today’s marketplace, legal medicinal CBD oil products are approved with a certificate of analysis and labelled correctly, including the amount of CBD in the product. Find out more below.
Your health and wellbeing is important to us at NectarTek, so we only recommend plant based products that comply with the Therapeutic Goods Administration standards. If you are a patient looking for an alternative healthcare pathway, we can put you in touch with medical practitioners who are trained cannabis doctors. You can buy CBD oil with confidence, supported by NectarTek.
