SICK Tasmanians keen to access medicinal cannabis will be able to be prescribed the unregistered product through a specialist from September 1.

The State Government has provided $3.75 million in this year’s Budget to get its Controlled Access Scheme off the ground.

The scheme will initially look at the clinical assessment of patients with severe epilepsy who may be eligible for medical cannabis because they are non-responsive to mainstream medications.

Health Minister Michael Ferguson today said specialists would consider the scheme’s rules, including patient safety and appropriateness for the individual case.

“Importantly, the funding will also improve the treatment of children and young people with severe epilepsy by recruiting more expert staff to support our neurology specialists and increasing the testing and treatment options available,” he said in a statement.

Cancer patients and those in severe pain may also be eligible to access medicinal cannabis.

“Tasmania has led the country in calling for a national, evidence-based response to provide safe access to medical cannabis and the opening of the Controlled Access Scheme will be a significant step forward,” Mr Ferguson said.

Information on how the scheme will work — for both patients and clinicians — will be published on the Department of Health and Human Services website and the Government will start consulting with local GPs soon.

“The CAS is designed to strike an important balance between medical access and the safety of vulnerable patients and complex and severe conditions,” Mr Ferguson said.

Those who think may meet the criteria for prescription should speak with their GP.

Mr Ferguson warned patients not to go off current prescribed epilepsy medication.

The opening of the CAS comes as Tasmanian Alkaloids enters into a partnership with medicinal cannabis supplier AusCann to grow cannabis and produce medicinal products at its Westbury plant subject to satisfactory licence approval.

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