Before your appointment
- Medicinal cannabis is prescription only in Australia. Your doctor decides if it suits you, and what and how much.
- Bring a list of everything you take, including over-the-counter medicines and supplements.
For patients
Know where it comes from
We’re the farm. We can show you exactly how and where everything is grown, and help if something isn’t right.
Medicinal cannabis is a prescription-only medicine in Australia. We’re a farm, so we can’t give medical advice or tell you which treatment is right for you. Your doctor and pharmacist are the right people for that.
What you’ll find here
Your guide to medicinal cannabis
The practical things patients ask us about most. It’s general information, so your doctor and pharmacist are always the right people for advice about your treatment.
Starting out
- Doctors usually start low and adjust slowly. Stick to your script and talk to your doctor before you change anything.
- Keep a simple diary for the first few weeks: what you took, when, and how you felt.
THC or not
- Some prescriptions contain THC, which can affect how you think and react. Others contain little or none.
- Ask your doctor which kind you have, and what it means for your day.
Driving and work
- In most states it’s an offence to drive with any THC in your system, even on prescription. Driving while impaired is illegal everywhere.
- Rules differ and are changing. Check the rules in your state. Some workplaces test for THC too.
Storing it safely
- Keep it in its original packaging, out of reach of children and pets, and away from heat and light.
- It’s prescribed for you only. Sharing it with anyone else is against the law.
Travelling
- Carry your script or a letter from your doctor, and keep it in its labelled pack.
- Rules differ between states and countries, so check before you go.
Questions to take to your doctor
Screenshot this list, or jot your answers down in the appointment.
- Is medicinal cannabis an option for me, and what are the alternatives?
- Does what you’re prescribing contain THC?
- How should I start, and when should we check in?
- Can I drive and work as usual?
- How will it fit with my other medicines?
- What should I do if something doesn’t feel right?
The plant diary
We grow everything that goes into our products, from seed. Soon you’ll be able to see it for yourself.
We keep a plant diary for every flower batch we grow. A QR code on our flower labels opens the diary for that batch, so if it’s been prescribed to you, you can see where it grew, how it was looked after and when it was harvested.
Coming to our flower labels
Inside a plant diary
- Planted, from seed
- The room it grew in
- Photos through the season
- Harvest and drying dates
- Release testing passed
- Certified organic: SXC 26078
Already have a pack? The batch number is on the pharmacy label or the side of the pack, near the expiry date. Quote it if you ever need to report an issue.
Example label
Batch: 90401
Expiry: MM/YYYY
Scan for plant diary
Illustration only. The QR code will appear on future flower batches.
Had a side effect?
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist first. You can also report it to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), and we would like to hear about it too, so we can look into the batch.
Common questions
Can I buy directly from Hale Farm?
No. We don’t sell to the public. Medicinal cannabis in Australia is only available on prescription and is dispensed by pharmacies.
Is everything certified organic?
Yes. Everything that comes off our farm, and everything that goes into our products, is certified organic.
Where is it grown?
Everything is grown and harvested on our farm in northern Tasmania, and our extracts are made there too.
Can you answer questions about my treatment?
We’re not able to. Questions about your health, dose or treatment are best answered by your doctor or pharmacist.