When you see a doctor about medicinal cannabis in Australia, they usually ask about your condition, what treatments you have already tried, your current medications, and whether you have any history that could affect safety, like mental health, substance use, pregnancy, or driving needs. They also often ask what symptoms you want help with, how severe they are, and what outcome you are hoping for.

Common questions doctors ask

  • What condition or symptoms are you treating?
  • How long have you had it, and how badly does it affect daily life?
  • What treatments have you already tried, and did they help?
  • What medications, supplements, or other substances do you currently use?
  • Have you used cannabis before, and if so, what happened?
  • Do you have any history of psychosis, anxiety, depression, addiction, or heart problems?
  • Are you pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy?
  • Do you drive, work in safety-sensitive roles, or operate machinery?
  • Are you looking for CBD, THC, or general symptom relief?
  • Can you afford the treatment and follow-up appointments?

What the doctor is checking

The appointment is usually about medical suitability , not just whether cannabis sounds appealing. The doctor wants to know whether medicinal cannabis is a reasonable option after standard treatments, whether it is safe for you, and whether any legal or prescribing requirements apply.

How to prepare

Bring a clear list of:

  1. Your diagnoses and main symptoms.
  2. Past treatments and why they were stopped.
  3. Your current medicines.
  4. Any past cannabis use and effects.
  5. Questions about dose, side effects, cost, and follow-up.

A simple way to explain it is: “My condition is still affecting my life, I’ve tried other treatments, and I want to know whether medicinal cannabis is appropriate and safe for me.”

Practical note

In Australia, medicinal cannabis is highly regulated, so doctors may also discuss prescription pathways, approvals, and product type before deciding whether to prescribe. If the appointment is through a clinic, they may ask for a GP summary or records showing previous treatment attempts.

TL;DR

Doctors usually ask about your condition, prior treatments, medications, cannabis history, mental health, safety risks, and whether you need to drive or work with machinery. The goal is to decide whether medicinal cannabis is clinically appropriate and safe for you.