PLANTOGRAM · DOCTORS’ EDUCATION
Medicinal Cannabis Prescriber Training: Learning Structure
Explore a proposed foundation and advanced learning structure covering pharmacology, patient selection, access pathways, safety and clinical governance.
A structured learning pathway for doctors
This proposed training structure moves from foundational knowledge to more detailed clinical reasoning and governance. It is intended to organise learning, not to award legal prescribing authority or certify competence by itself.
The learning pathway has a foundation stream and an optional advanced stream.
Foundation stream: six learning modules
The foundation stream provides a way to identify the knowledge a doctor needs before considering an individual patient’s treatment.
| Module | Learning topics |
|---|---|
| 1. Medicinal cannabis in Australia | History, current landscape, evidence by indication, the endocannabinoid system, THC, CBD and product types. |
| 2. Regulatory foundations | TGA access pathways, SAS-B, AP, established history of use, state or territory obligations, consent and records. |
| 3. Patient selection and scope | Previous treatment, red flags, contraindications, clinical scope and individual risk–benefit assessment. |
| 4. Categories and treatment matching | Cannabinoid categories, dosage forms, composition and matching a format to a defined objective. |
| 5. Safe prescribing fundamentals | Adverse effects, interactions, psychiatric risk, driving and individualised initiation and monitoring. |
| 6. The first consultation | Assessment structure, records, goals, clinical rationale, education and follow-up. |
Advanced stream: seven learning modules
The advanced stream deepens knowledge for practitioners whose clinical scope and experience justify further learning. Progression should depend on demonstrated learning needs and competence, rather than time alone.
| Module | Learning topics |
|---|---|
| 1. THC and CBD pharmacology | Receptor biology, pharmacology, routes and formulation differences. |
| 2. Adverse effects and safety | Common and serious harms, patient-specific risks and management. |
| 3. Drug interactions | Metabolic interactions, sedating combinations and polypharmacy. |
| 4. Psychiatric risk and selection | Assessment, high-risk presentations, consent and documentation. |
| 5. Driving and impairment | Clinical impairment, legal differences and patient counselling. |
| 6. Dosing and titration | Product-specific initiation, changes in exposure and special populations. |
| 7. Monitoring and governance | Baseline outcomes, review, records, reporting, treatment modification and cessation. |
Course completion and AP status are separate
Education can support clinical preparation, but TGA authorisation is a separate process. Eligibility for the established-history-of-use pathway depends on the applicable product, dosage form, indication and patient criteria.
How the learning structure can be used
Start by identifying learning gaps, then work through the relevant modules and official references. Use clinical cases to practise recording an indication, comparing alternatives, identifying risk and setting measurable review criteria.
The structure is designed primarily for doctors. Other practitioner groups must follow their own scope, eligibility and professional requirements; a shared educational resource does not make their access pathways identical.
References and further reading
- TGA: Accessing medicinal cannabis for a patient
- Medical Board: Medicinal cannabis prescribing guidance, 9 July 2025
- TGA: Applications and reporting for unapproved medicinal cannabis
