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Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

Cannabis is a new medicine for many doctors and patients, most of which will have numerous questions. These are some of the common questions you may encounter and will help you prepare to answer them when the time comes.

General Questions
Appointments and Prescriptions
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Cannabis has been decriminalised in South Africa since 2018 by the Constitutional Court. Thus, it is no longer a criminal offence for citizens to consume and grow cannabis in private for personal consumption. Legal cannabis can only be obtained via a Section 21 Application, prescribed by a registered doctor and approved by SAHPRA, the local medical regulator.
As well as facilitating legal access to cannabis-based medicines, all medicinal cannabis therapies are initiated by a specialist following a clinical assessment of your condition. Cannabis Clinic’s patients are supported by a team of health professionals, adjusting medications as necessary and prescribing from a wide range of cannabis medicines, all subject to strict pharmaceutical quality controls with SAHPRA oversight.

As with any prescription medication, patients should be aware of these, particularly medicinal cannabis patients consuming high THC medicines.

These may include increased heart rate, co-ordination problems, dry mouth, red eyes, slower reaction times, fatigue and sedation, feelings of euphoria (intense happiness), vertigo, nausea and vomiting, or anxiety, appetite increase, hallucinations or paranoid delusions and diarrhoea.

Please consult with a cannabinoid prescribing doctor to discuss possible side effects and what steps should be taken if you experience any adverse effects after administering medicinal cannabis.

For people that have never tried medicinal cannabis before, the doctors will carefully determine your condition and the most appropriate treatment regime. Medicinal Cannabis can take from a few days up to 3 months in order to feel the full benefit of the treatment depending on your condition. Vaporisation results in rapid absorption into the body, with first effects occurring typically within 90 seconds, reaching a peak after 15-30 minutes, and lasting 2-4 hours. This method is best used where a rapid onset of action is desired. Oral preparations such as oils or capsules are absorbed more slowly and take around 30-90 minutes to take effect. Peak effects occur after 2-4 hours and can last for up to 8 hours. Exactly how people respond varies from person to person and cannabis doesn’t work for everyone. At Cannabis Clinics, we support you along the whole process to find a regiment that works for you.
Purchasing or consuming cannabis from the black market exposes patients to numerous risks. Legal producers of cannabis products follow the stringent rules of their countries’ health regulations, while illegal growers do not follow any specified regulations or standards. Regulations and standards are in place to ensure the supply of the highest quality medical grade product. This is to guarantee that their products meet health and safety standards, and provide consistent dosages which are essential in treating health conditions.
We take any complaints seriously. Cannabis Clinics recognises the importance and value of an effective process of complaints handling as part of a comprehensive framework of quality improvement activity in accordance with regulatory review and in line with the development and implementation of Clinical Governance. Cannabis Clinics will ensure that the handling and consideration of complaints is actioned appropriately, that arrangements are in place to ensure complaints are dealt with speedily and efficiently, and that complainants are treated courteously and sympathetically and are as far as possible involved in decisions about how their complaints are handled and considered. You can lodge a complaint directly on your patient portal by clicking the contact button or send details of your complaint to info@cannabisclinics.co.za

As with many prescription medicines, patients taking Medicinal Cannabis with high levels of THC may experience some side effects.

These may include increased heart rate, co-ordination problems, dry mouth, red eyes, slower reaction times, fatigue and sedation, feelings of euphoria (intense happiness), vertigo, nausea and vomiting, or anxiety, appetite increase, hallucinations or paranoid delusions, diarrhoea.

Please consult with a specialist cannabinoid prescribing doctor to discuss possible side effects and what steps should be taken if you experience any adverse effects after administering Medicinal Cannabis.

The average product cost ranges between R500 to R1800 per month, depending on your treatment requirements, which includes the ratio and quantity of THC and CBD in the prescribed product; the amount individually used and the product format (i.e. Sprays, capsules, vapes, oils and flower).
The cost of the consultation can be claimed by your medical aid. All of the products are NAPPI Coded, so you may reach out to your medical aid for reimbursement.
1. Book an appointment – Book an appointment in just a few minutes, with a date and time that suits you. 2. Meet your cannabinoid prescribing doctor – You’ll be sent a private online video link to talk to your selected doctor in confidence. If you prefer to have an in-person consultation with a doctor, this can also be arranged. 3. Receive your prescription – Your medicine can be delivered straight to your home by one of our dispensary options. View the short video to find out more
We can arrange for your medication to be delivered directly to your door via our partner pharmacy network – Clicks Direct Medicines, Greenways Pharmacy and Arrie Nel.
To repeat your prescription please book a consultation at Cannabis Clinics (www.CannabisClinics.co.za) directly or via the Book an Appointment button on your unique patient portal, at least one month before the end of your 6-month prescription. Please be aware that you must have a regular review with your clinician to continue treatment, and to request changes to the treatment plan you must go through a consultation with a doctor.
You can smoke medicinal cannabis, although this is not advised as the combustion of the plant material destroys many of the available terpenes and cannabinoids. Preferred methods for consuming medicinal cannabis are: Oral – using oil drops, sprays or capsules; Topical – using patches, gels or creams applied directly to the skin; and Low Heat Vaporisation – inhalation via a medical device that heats the cannabis flower or oils to release cannabinoids without burning or combustion of plant material.
Medicinal cannabis can be utilised to effectively manage a number of conditions and symptoms, such as Chronic Pain, Neuropathic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Ankylosing spondylitis, Stiff Person Syndrome, Osteoarthritis, Endometriosis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Cancer related Chronic Pain, Chemotherapy Induced Nausea & Vomiting, Wasting Syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis, Epilepsy, Insomnia and Anxiety.
You can complete the patient registration by clicking here and book an appointment via the link on your patient portal. Or, click here to book an appointment with a cannabinoid prescribing doctor at Cannabis Clinics.

Medicinal Cannabis can be taken in a variety of ways. These include:- Oral – using an Oil Drops, Spray, Capsules; Low Heat Vaporisation or Inhalation via a medical device that heats the Cannabis Flower or Oils to release cannabinoids; and Topical – patches, gels or creams, all applied to the outer skin surface.

Medicinal Cannabis must be used to ease the symptoms of several medical conditions. Medicinal Cannabis can be used to treat a number of different symptoms and conditions, including Chronic Pain, Neuropathic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Ankylosing spondylitis, Stiff Person Syndrome, Osteoarthritis, Endometriosis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Cancer related Chronic Pain, ChemoInduced Nausea & Vomiting, Wasting Syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis. Epilepsy and Insomnia

You can complete the patient registration by clicking here and book an appointment via the link on your patient portal. 

Or, click here to book an appointment with a cannabinoid specialist doctor at Cannabis Clinics. 

To help the cannabinoid specialists make a full assessment about your condition, they may require information from your GP and/or specialists you may have seen already.

Yes, Cannabis Clinics have a team of independent doctors who are registered with the HPCSA. These doctors do provide Telehealth services as well and in practice consultations. You can also invite your doctor to become a cannabinoid prescribing doctor via your patient dashboard (www.IntroCann.com)

You can schedule an appointment with one of the cannabinoid prescribing doctors at Cannabis Clinics within 2 hours. Once you have paid the SAHPRA fee, the clinical team review the information submitted by the doctor and may request additional information. The clinical team then submit the documentation to SAHPRA for approval. 

The SAHPRA approval process may be complete within 2-3 business days. This turnaround time has been indicated on their website.

 From consultation to delivery takes between 3-7 days

We strive to process patients’ prescriptions as swiftly as possible, however, at times there are unavoidable delays.

Your initial consultation with the Cannabis Clinics Nurse is FREE, this initial consultation is to assist you to understand more about the treatment regime and medicines available. The cost of the doctor consultation with Cannabis Clinics is R300 (three hundred rand). All other doctors will charge their standard rate, which is between R400 and R700 per consultation. The follow up Check-In consultation by the Cannabis Clinics Nurse is FREE.

The cost of Medicinal Cannabis products for medical use varies greatly depending on the dosage and type of products prescribed. The cost of Medicinal Cannabis products can vary from R25 to R200 per patient per day, depending on the nature of the condition being treated, the product(s) required, and the dosage of the required product(s). Medicinal Cannabis products are not currently reimbursed by medical aid schemes.

Medicinal Cannabis products are not currently reimbursed by medical aid schemes. The cost of the doctor consultation is covered by medical aid schemes.

We encourage patients to discuss the prescription reimbursement with their individual medical aid scheme.

There are three easy steps you need to go through. 

  1. Book an appointment, – Book an appointment in just a few minutes, with a date and time that suits you.
  2. Meet your cannabinoid prescribing doctor – You’ll be sent a private online video link to talk to your selected doctor in confidence. If you prefer to have an in-person consultation with a doctor that will be arranged for you.
  3. Receive your prescription – Your medicine can be delivered straight to your home or a pharmacy of your choice for collection.

View the short video to find out more

We can arrange for your medication to be delivered directly to your door via our partner pharmacy network – Clicks Direct Medicines, Greenways Pharmacy and Arrie Nel. We also have a wholesale network, whereby you can speak to your pharmacist at your local pharmacy to arrange delivery for instore collection.

To repeat your prescription please book a consultation at Cannabis Clinics (www.CannabisClinics.co.za) directly or via the Book an Appointment button on your unique patient portal. 

Please do this at least one month before running out of your medication from your existing 6-month prescription.

Please be aware that you must have a regular review with your clinician to continue treatment and to request changes to the treatment plan you must go through a consultation with a doctor.

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Medicinal Cannabis has an established scientific track record in the treatment of insomnia. It is of particular interest for people who want to avoid dependency to sleep medication.

Step 1: Register
Step 2: Book and pay
Step 3: Receive call back

Get started

Medicinal Cannabis consultation

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Start your journey

Book appointment

Book an appointment is just a few minutes, at a date and time that suits you, in the comfort of your home.

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Self Service · Insomnia only

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Quick assistance

Aftercare appointment – Free

Our registered nurses can answers questions, and guide you on your medication and cannabis journey.

Book aftercare

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Start your journey

Book appointment

Book an appointment is just a few minutes, at a date and time that suits you, in the comfort of your home.

Book appointment

Quick assistance

Aftercare appointment – Free

Our registered nurses can answers questions, and guide you on your medication and cannabis journey.

Book aftercare
Book appointment
Book aftercare

Self Service · Insomnia only

Text-based Consult

Apply

Self Service

WhatsApp Doc

  • Coming Soon

Start your journey

Book appointment

Book an appointment is just a few minutes, at a date and time that suits you, in the comfort of your home.

Book appointment

Self Service · Insomnia only

Text-based Consult

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Quick assistance

Aftercare appointment – Free

Our registered nurses can answers questions, and guide you on your medication and cannabis journey.

Book aftercare

Self Service

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  • Coming Soon

Choose an option

I am a new patient. 

Begin the eligibility assessment.

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Book a follow up consultation. 

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