Two former employees of Australian Natural Therapeutics Group (ANTG) have joined forces to create a new business aimed at supporting patients throughout their medicinal cannabis treatment journeys.
Herbwise was founded by Dena Harcourt and Dr Amellia Redfearn, who each spent 12 months at ANTG before leaving in February.
In addition to a coaching platform for patients, Herbwise will deliver education to veterinary practices on the potential of CBD in treating animals.
Harcourt, who held roles as a post-harvest GMP specialist and commercial administrator at ANTG, said the coaching service will address a gap that frequently opens up after a patient receives their first cannabis prescription.
She said Herbwise wants to make patients "active participants" in their treatment.
"We want to help verified medicinal cannabis patients integrate cannabis into their daily lives and get them on top of their mental and physical health," she said. "It's about maintaining that therapeutic relationship with cannabis and maintaining personal goals… despite life's ups and downs."
The coaching offer is also designed to help first-time users become comfortable with a medication they have little prior experience with.
"Many people may never have learned about cannabis or don't know how to integrate it into their lives," Harcourt said. "It can be confronting because cannabis comes in many different forms. It's not just a pill."
Asked if guiding patients through their cannabis journey was the job of the prescribing practitioner, Harcourt said: "Yes, you would think so, but it's not happening with 15-minute consultations."
Alongside 45-minute coaching sessions priced at around A$100 to $120, the Herbwise website will soon feature a 'Herb Hub'. The subscription-based platform will give patients access to a medicinal cannabis resource centre that includes dosage tracking guides and general educational content.
On the education side, Dr Redfearn will work with veterinary practices to explain the benefits of medicinal cannabis for animals, with a focus on pets experiencing anxiety-related conditions and those requiring palliative care.
Course content will cover the endocannabinoid system, therapeutic applications, dosage guidelines, potential drug interactions, and patient monitoring.
Dr Redfearn said the program will give vets the knowledge needed to bring medicinal cannabis into their practices, broadening their treatment options and improving patient care.
"We believe in the power of education and support when it comes to medicinal cannabis," they said. "Herbwise aims to empower healthcare and veterinary professionals, as well as patients, to make informed decisions regarding medicinal cannabis."