Race to open Sydney’s first pharmacy
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“The reality is there’s no way you can treat someone at a higher level than over video than in person,” said Havas, who already owns an online pharmacy and wholesaler.
He believes medicinal cannabis has changed his life after being treated with it for his mental health issues in 2019.
“Our goal is to open as many of these as possible in NSW. The more I open up about it, the more likely we as a society will socially accept this form of treatment.”
Better Leaf’s Sydney store will stock around 200 ranges of cannabis products and accessories such as e-cigarette cartridges. It is referring patients to telemedicine doctors for 24-hour turnaround from prescription to drug, but is also considering an on-site clinic.
A medicinal cannabis farm in an undisclosed location in NSW that will legally produce large quantities of cannabis oil.Credit: Janie Barrett
Weisberg also believes that a personal pharmacy provides better service. “For us, it’s not just about the levy,” he said. “We educate. We know each customer, we make sure they know what to do with the remedy, we do the tracking, it’s not just a regular product you want to ship.”
While users can be enthusiastic advocates, many doctors are still awaiting clinical trials to prove cannabis’ effectiveness for conditions ranging from anxiety to back pain. Some also fear conflicts of interest in the burgeoning medical cannabis industry, such as clinics prescribing products in which they have a financial interest.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration is cracking down on cannabis advertising, which is banned for all types of prescription drugs, including those not covered by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, such as cannabis.
MiDispensary, which is owned by Havas, was among those fined more than $100,000 by the TGA late last year for eight allegations related to unlawful drug advertising on websites and social media. media platforms.
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Havas has asked the TGA to withdraw the notices, saying they were based on advertising “which was the subject of improper advice given to the company by a regulatory advisor,” he said.
Medical cannabis products contain various combinations of cannabidiol (CBD), which does not induce a high, and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which induces a high. It usually comes in oil or flower form. “THC is the gin and CBD is the tonic, and there are products from Soda Stream to tequila,” said industry consultant Rebecca Doyle.
“Many patients use oils, they are slower acting and contain more CBD. While THC provides pain relief, you don’t need the amounts typically found in street cannabis. Medically, much lower doses are generally used to relieve symptoms.”
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