A new medicinal cannabis clinic and dispensary offering ‘releaf’ for patients in need has opened its doors in Noosa Heads.
The site in Hastings Street is the second Releaf Group franchise to open in Queensland and has already received more than 100 new patient enquiries from the local community.
Releaf Group founder and chief executive officer Gary Mackenzie said expansion into Queensland was prioritised due to high patient demand.
“We know there are thousands of Queenslanders who are looking for a multidisciplinary approach to healthcare and we’re pleased we’ll soon be in a position to offer this at our four new clinics,” he said.
“We chose Hastings Street as it’s a popular tourist destination. It’s only a small site but I think it’ll be great for the travellers and the Noosa community.”
A cancer survivor himself, Mr Mackenzie used CBD oil three years ago and says he preferred it as a “safer” non-addictive pain management option.
“Studies have shown promising results for a variety of other conditions ranging from sleep disorders to Parkinson’s disease, severe epilepsy and anxiety with new research findings emerging almost every day,” he said.
Founded in 2017, Releaf Group is Australia’s first dedicated clinic and dispensary group formed to simplify the consultation process and access to a range of medicine for patients in need.
Offering a fully integrated health care service, Releaf Clinics are multidisciplinary providing a range of services including orthodox medical services, medicinal cannabis prescribing, pharmacy and a retail shop carrying supplements and health foods.
“Only the medicinal products require a prescription, so we also have therapeutic products in store that you can access without a prescription,” Mr Mackenzie said.
Doctors have been able to supply medicinal cannabis to patients for specific medical conditions since 2016. Amendments to the Narcotic Drugs Act permitted both legally-grown cannabis, as well as the manufacture of medicinal cannabis products in Australia.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) governs the Special Approval Scheme (SAS), which allows certain health practitioners to access therapeutic goods that are not included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). The SAS provides a pathway for prescribers to
access medicinal cannabis for individual patients on a case-by-case basis.
According to figures from the TGA up to 30 June 2021, the TGA has approved over 130,000 SAS Category B applications for unapproved medicinal cannabis products with figures showing a steady monthly increase.
“While our doctors are trained in medicinal cannabis prescribing and our pharmacists are also trained in its use, medicinal cannabis is only one potential therapeutic option for patient health conditions and suitability is assessed on an individual basis in consultation with the doctor,” Mr Mackenzie said.
“Our doctors will need to consider whether a person’s condition could be helped by medicinal cannabis.
“If anyone’s interested in seeing a doctor, it’s quite a simple process. Feel free to contact the clinic and book in for an appointment.”
Releaf provides telehealth consultations with clinic doctors via phone and video chat for those not living close to a clinic.
Find Releaf Clinics at Shop 2, 3-9 Hastings Street, Noosa Heads.
For more information about Releaf Clinics visit releafclinics.com.au
