Healthcare Professionals Guidebook (2.5 MB)
Download a PDF of the medicinal cannabis guidebook for HCPs
Patient Resources
Spectrum Therapeutics Patient Guide (3.14 MB)
Download a PDF of the guidebook for patients prescribed Spectrum Therapeutics medicines
Spectrum Therapeutics Patient Dosing Diary
Download a PDF of the dosing diary for patients prescribed Spectrum Therapeutics medicines
Spectrum Therapeutics CBD Isolate/Cannabis Oil Consumer Medicine Information (321.88 KB)
Download a PDF of the CMI for patients prescribed Spectrum White, Yellow, Blue and/or Red No 1 Cannabis Oil
Spectrum Therapeutics Blue Cannabis Oil Consumer Medicine Information (423.04 KB)
Download a PDF of the CMI for patients prescribed Spectrum Blue Cannabis Oil 40 mL
Spectrum Therapeutics Softgel Consumer Medicine Information (373.03 KB)
Download a PDF of the CMI for patients prescribed Spectrum Yellow Softgels
Spectrum Therapeutics Dried Cannabis Flower Consumer Medicine Information (215.25 KB)
Download a PDF of the CMI for patients prescribed Canopy, Spectrum, and Tweed dried cannabis flowers
Vapormed Patient Flyer
Download a PDF about the Vapormed Medical Cannabinoid Vaporisers (Mighty Medic, Mighty+ Medic, and Volcano Medic 2), which are compatible with any brand of prescribed cannabis flower
Product Resources
Spectrum Therapeutics Products
If you have any questions regarding our products or pricing, please contact our Medical team on medinfo.au@canopygrowth.com or contact our medical information hotline: 1 800 223 842
Education for Healthcare Professionals
Upcoming Medical Education Events
An Update on the Neuroprotective Effects of Cannabinoids
with Dr Taylor Lougheed MD, MSc(HQ), CCFP(EM)(SEM), Dip Sport Med
The Spectrum Therapeutics Medical Education team in Canada are hosting their next webinar 'An update on the neuroprotective effects of cannabinoids' with Dr Taylor Lougheed* on Wednesday 19th June 2024 at 9.30 am AEST.
*Kindly note this webinar is presented by a Canadian physician and medicinal cannabis regulations (e.g., driving restrictions, patient access) differ between countries.
Learning Objectives:
- Review the preclinical literature on the neuroprotective effects of cannabinoids, with potential implications for traumatic brain injuries, stroke, and neurodegenerative diseases.
- Review the available limited case reports and publications relating to clinical use, as well as key gaps.
- Prepare to be better able to counsel patients around cannabis use in these contexts.
Please click the link or scan the QR code below to register for the webinar. If you're unable to attend, please contact your local Medical Science Liaison or medinfo.au@canopygrowth.com for access to the webinar recording.
You are now leaving the Spectrum Therapeutics website
Past Medical Education Events
Spectrum Academy Learning Series 2020
Spectrum Academy presents a pair of educational webinars, including presentations from global experts and experienced clinicians, on the use of Cannabinoid-Based Medicine in the treatment of chronic pain.
Australian Webinar Series 2020 & 2021
During 2020 and 2021, Spectrum Therapeutics hosted an educational webinar series presented by experienced Australian prescribers. The webinar series covered a range of topics including pain management, mental health conditions, sleep, palliative care, gastrointestinal disorders, and the use of vaporisation as a treatment modality.
Canada CME Webinar Series 2022 & 2023
The Spectrum Therapeutics Medical Education team in Canada hosts an educational webinar series presented by experienced Canadian prescribers. The webinar series covers a range of topics including pain and cancer management, mental health conditions, and sleep.
To access recording links to the webinar series above, please contact your local Medical Science Liaison or Spectrum Therapeutics Medical Information on medinfo.au@canopygrowth.com or 1800 223 842.
Introduction to Medicinal Cannabis
The use of medicinal preparations of cannabis can be traced back over five thousand years, making it one of the oldest medicinal plants.
Cannabis
More than 500 natural compounds have been identified and isolated from Cannabis sativa. This includes the medicinally important cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and other non-cannabinoid constituents. These compounds are produced in high concentration in the glandular trichomes, which are the hair-like, resin-secreting glands found on the surface of the female cannabis flower.
Cannabinoids
There are more than 100 cannabinoids in cannabis, which interact with the body’s cannabinoid receptors:
- Endocannabinoids – naturally produced in the body
- Phytocannabinoids – found in many plants, but in highest concentrations in cannabis
- Synthetic cannabinoids – includes pharmaceuticals that have the same chemical structure (e.g., dronabinol) or are analogues (e.g., nabilone) of cannabinoids.
Watch How Cannabis Works
Activation of Cannabinoids
Inactive delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) in the raw plant must be decarboxylated to the neutral phenols (THC and CBD) to interact with the endocannabinoid system. This occurs when dried cannabis flowers are heated. Many commercially available oils are already decarboxylated.
Terpenes and flavonoids
These are responsible for the variety of scents and flavours of different cannabis varieties. Terpenes may have direct physiological effects as well as interacting with cannabinoids to create the unique properties of individual cannabis varieties. This is known as the entourage effect, a theory that describes the potential interactions between major cannabinoids, minor cannabinoids, terpenes, and other plant constituents.
The Endocannabinoid System
The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is a ubiquitous lipid signaling system that plays an important role in the regulation of homeostasis throughout the human body. The ECS consists of endogenous receptors, ligands, and metabolic enzymes.
It has been implicated in:
- neural development
- immune function
- inflammation
- appetite
- metabolism and energy homeostasis
- cardiovascular function
- digestion
- bone development and bone density
- synaptic plasticity and learning
- pain
- reproduction
- psychiatric disease
- psychomotor behaviour
- memory
- wake/sleep cycles
- the regulation of stress and emotional state
Receptors
The ECS consists of the CB1 and CB2 receptors, two endogenous agonists (or endocannabinoids), and endocannabinoid synthesising and degrading enzymes. CB1 receptors are found in highest concentration in the central and peripheral nervous system and in the gastrointestinal tract. CB2 receptors are found primarily in the immune system, including the tonsils, spleen, lymph nodes, and circulating lymphocytes and neutrophils.
While present throughout the CNS, the concentration of cannabinoid receptors is low in the brainstem, specifically the area responsible for cardiorespiratory drive.
Activation of CB1 receptors
This schematic of a neuronal junction shows the activation of CB1 receptors by endocannabinoids. This retrograde signalling regulates neurotransmission in a precise spatio-temporal manner.
Reference
- Endocannabinoids are produced in the postsynaptic terminal in response to cellular demands.
- These ligands travel through the synaptic cleft and bind to cannabinoid receptors (e.g., CB1) on the cell surface of the presynaptic terminal.
- Once stimulated, cannabinoid receptors activate a signaling cascade that suppresses the release of neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft (e.g., glutamate, GABA, dopamine, and cholecystokinin).
- Neurotransmitter suppression changes the frequency of postsynaptic neuronal firing.
Methods of Administration
Ingestion
Ingesting medicinal cannabis oil from an oral dosing syringe or packaged in softgels ensures accurate dosing.
Inhalation
Vaporising
Vaporising is a way to inhale the bioactive components of medicinal cannabis without burning the plant material. Cannabis is heated to a temperature that volatilises, without combusting, the cannabinoids and other plant constituents. Vaporising reduces the loss of cannabinoids, and is a more efficient way of extracting chemically active constituents.
Smoking
Smoking medicinal cannabis products is not recommended.
Side Effects
Like all other medicine, medicinal cannabis can also have side effects. The risk of dependence following prolonged use of medicinal cannabis has not been sufficiently studied, but the experience of drug research shows that cannabis is less addictive than comparable pain medication if misused (Anthony, JC et al. Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology. 1997;2(3):244-268).
Side effects from the use of medicinal cannabis include:
- Dry mouth
- Fatigue
- Impaired motor skills
- Dizziness
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Impaired short-term memory and information processing
- Impaired attention
- Increased appetite
- Paranoia and anxiety (at high doses)
Contact Us
Still have questions?
Email: medinfo.au@canopygrowth.com
Medical Information Line: 1 800 223 842