Safe Prescribing: Managing Dependence Risks in THC-Based Cannabis Treatments

Join Dr Mark Hardy in this webinar to learn safe assessment, prescribing, and monitoring of THC treatments for patients at risk of substance use disorders. Covers evidence-based dosing, patient safety, and regulatory compliance.

About the webinar

With the increasing use of medicinal cannabis in Australia, many patients are being prescribed THC-based treatments for conditions such as chronic pain, mental health disorders, and sleep issues.

However, a significant percentage of these patients are at risk of developing cannabis use disorder (CUD) or experiencing cannabis withdrawal symptoms. This one-hour webinar provides healthcare professionals with essential guidance on assessing, prescribing, and monitoring THC-based medicinal cannabis for patients with or at risk of substance use disorders (SUDs).

Participants will learn how to identify at-risk patients, apply evidence-based dosing recommendations, and ensure patient safety through informed consent and regular monitoring. Additionally, we’ll cover regulatory considerations, including the Special Access Scheme-B (SAS-B) and state-level requirements, ensuring compliance with Australian medicinal cannabis guidelines.

Join us to deepen your understanding of how to balance the therapeutic benefits of THC-based treatments with minimising the risks of dependence and misuse.

Learning Outcomes

Recognise key risk factors for cannabis use disorder (CUD) in patients using THC-based medicinal cannabis

Explain the risks of cannabis dependence and withdrawal to patients and obtain informed consent

Apply appropriate dosing strategies and formulation choices for patients with varying cannabis tolerance

Develop a plan for monitoring THC treatment effectiveness and managing potential misuse

About the speaker

Dr Mark Hardy is the Medical Director and a member of the Medical Advisory Board at CA clinics . He is also an Addiction Specialist and Visiting Medical Officer at Northern Beaches Hospital. Dr Mark has a deep interest in chronic diseases, toxicology, and mental health and is particularly passionate about the management of addiction in the Australian community. This drove him to delve into the medicinal cannabis space in search of evidence based alternatives to ineffective treatments in the area of chronic pain. He later expanded his application of medical cannabis in into his other clinical interests such as mental health and chronic illness. Mark trained and commenced prescribing medicinal cannabinoids for a range of medical conditions in accordance with NSW and National guidelines. Dr Mark said that this new and exciting part of his practice added dimensions of therapeutic management, advocacy, research and clinical leadership to his professional career.

Webinar

When: Tuesday, 15 April 2025

Time: 7:00 pm

Cost: Free

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Claim 1 CPD Hour

Medihuanna is a CPD approved education provider, and this activity has been approved by the RACGP. Upon completing this activity, you will be eligible to claim CPD hours. The activity will include the following CPD allocation which will be uploaded to the RACGP dashboard.