With cannabis legalisation being the talk of the town, it’s no wonder that more and more Australians are looking to wet their beaks in what’s being called a new green gold rush. Nevertheless, the landscape of cannabis legality is a tricky one to navigate, with different states having different regulations and laws surrounding the drug. To make sure you understand what cannabis usage is permissible and illegal in Australia, we have provided a state-by-state guide below.
New South Wales
Cannabis remains an illegal substance in New South Wales. However, the possession and use of prescribed medicinal cannabis is possible with approval from the Special Access Scheme. Moreover, the New South Wales Government is running trials for medicinal cannabis use in a restricted number of areas and hospitals, and the sale of cannabis products in pharmacies is expected to occur in the future.
Victoria
In Victoria, the possession and use of prescribed medicinal cannabis is permitted with a valid prescription. Furthermore, Victoria also allows approved medicinal cannabis vendors to distribute products in pharmacies or via mail delivery. Medical cannabis products can even be prescribed for chronic pain, chemotherapy-induced nausea, and multiple sclerosis.
Queensland
In Queensland, cannabis is still illegal. Nevertheless, the Queensland government has recently allowed 12 new cultivation sites to produce cannabis, making the state the leader in interstate medical cannabis production. Moreover, medicinal cannabis products can be prescribed to patients with a valid medical condition and approval from the Special Access Scheme or Authorised Prescriber Scheme.
Western Australia
In Western Australia, the Medicinal Cannabis Act was passed in 2017. Under this act, the possession, use and cultivation of medical cannabis is allowed with a valid prescription. Moreover, the WA government stated that prescribed medical cannabis products must be sourced from locally licensed distributors.
South Australia
South Australia is another state where medical cannabis products are not only legal but are also available for sale in pharmacies. Licensed healthcare practitioners are able to prescribe medical cannabis for conditions such as cancer, Parkinson’s Disease, and seizures. Furthermore, those under 18 may access medicinal cannabis if they receive a two-doctor approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory has become the sixth state or territory to make medicinal cannabis legal. Medical cannabis products can now be prescribed to people suffering from conditions such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, and palliative care. The possession, use, and cultivation of medicinal cannabis is allowed with approval from the Minister for Health and Medical Services.
Tasmania
In Tasmania, the Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for regulating the use of medical cannabis products. In order to access medicinal cannabis, patients must receive approval from the Secretary of Department of Health and Human Services. Licensed doctors are able to prescribe medical cannabis for a variety of conditions, including HIV/AIDS, cancer, and chronic pain.
Australian Capital Territory
The government of the Australian Capital Territory is another state to recognise the therapeutic properties of medicinal cannabis products. They have allowed the possession, use and cultivation of medicinal cannabis with approval from the Secretariat of the Therapeutic Goods Administration. Furthermore, pharmacies are allowed to legally sell cannabis-based products.
To summarise, across the different Australian states and territories, there is a patchwork of different laws which regulate the possession, use, and cultivation of cannabis products. In some jurisdictions, only medical cannabis is permitted, while others allow regulated cultivation and sale of recreational cannabis. It is important to understand the regulations that exist in your state or territory before consuming any cannabis-derived products.
With cannabis legalisation being the talk of the town, it’s no wonder that more and more Australians are looking to wet their beaks in what’s being called a new green gold rush. Nevertheless, the landscape of cannabis legality is a tricky one to navigate, with different states having different regulations and laws surrounding the drug. To make sure you understand what cannabis usage is permissible and illegal in Australia, we have provided a state-by-state guide below.
New South Wales
Cannabis remains an illegal substance in New South Wales. However, the possession and use of prescribed medicinal cannabis is possible with approval from the Special Access Scheme. Moreover, the New South Wales Government is running trials for medicinal cannabis use in a restricted number of areas and hospitals, and the sale of cannabis products in pharmacies is expected to occur in the future.
Victoria
In Victoria, the possession and use of prescribed medicinal cannabis is permitted with a valid prescription. Furthermore, Victoria also allows approved medicinal cannabis vendors to distribute products in pharmacies or via mail delivery. Medical cannabis products can even be prescribed for chronic pain, chemotherapy-induced nausea, and multiple sclerosis.
Queensland
In Queensland, cannabis is still illegal. Nevertheless, the Queensland government has recently allowed 12 new cultivation sites to produce cannabis, making the state the leader in interstate medical cannabis production. Moreover, medicinal cannabis products can be prescribed to patients with a valid medical condition and approval from the Special Access Scheme or Authorised Prescriber Scheme.
Western Australia
In Western Australia, the Medicinal Cannabis Act was passed in 2017. Under this act, the possession, use and cultivation of medical cannabis is allowed with a valid prescription. Moreover, the WA government stated that prescribed medical cannabis products must be sourced from locally licensed distributors.
South Australia
South Australia is another state where medical cannabis products are not only legal but are also available for sale in pharmacies. Licensed healthcare practitioners are able to prescribe medical cannabis for conditions such as cancer, Parkinson’s Disease, and seizures. Furthermore, those under 18 may access medicinal cannabis if they receive a two-doctor approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory has become the sixth state or territory to make medicinal cannabis legal. Medical cannabis products can now be prescribed to people suffering from conditions such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, and palliative care. The possession, use, and cultivation of medicinal cannabis is allowed with approval from the Minister for Health and Medical Services.
Tasmania
In Tasmania, the Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for regulating the use of medical cannabis products. In order to access medicinal cannabis, patients must receive approval from the Secretary of Department of Health and Human Services. Licensed doctors are able to prescribe medical cannabis for a variety of conditions, including HIV/AIDS, cancer, and chronic pain.
Australian Capital Territory
The government of the Australian Capital Territory is another state to recognise the therapeutic properties of medicinal cannabis products. They have allowed the possession, use and cultivation of medicinal cannabis with approval from the Secretariat of the Therapeutic Goods Administration. Furthermore, pharmacies are allowed to legally sell cannabis-based products.
To summarise, across the different Australian states and territories, there is a patchwork of different laws which regulate the possession, use, and cultivation of cannabis products. In some jurisdictions, only medical cannabis is permitted, while others allow regulated cultivation and sale of recreational cannabis. It is important to understand the regulations that exist in your state or territory before consuming any cannabis-derived products.
