What’s the difference between illegal and legal medicinal cannabis products?

Changes in legislation on cannabis use in different states and territories can be confusing when it comes to working out what’s legal and what’s not.

Medicinal cannabis was legalised in Australia in 2016 - but it’s still a strictly controlled product, with the TGA responsible for regulating and approving medicinal products to ensure quality.

So, while medicinal cannabis products have been legalised as medicine, how you get them is controlled. It’s illegal for people to order products online or import them for personal use.

The TGA warns of the risks of purchasing medicinal cannabis products on the internet or from overseas. These products can be contaminated, have undisclosed ingredients, and contain different doses of active ingredients than reported.¹

Each state and territory has its own policies on medicinal cannabis which determine how you can access medicinal cannabis products.

Where do I get information about accessing medicinal cannabis products in my state or territory?

You’ll find links below to each state and territory’s health department with relevant information and laws about accessing medicinal cannabis products.

• ACT
• New South Wales
• Northern Territory
• Queensland
• South Australia
• Tasmania
• Victoria
• Western Australia

Need more information?

Visit:

• NPS MedicineWise Consumer Information
• TGA Information line – call 1800 020 653
• Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, University of Sydney
• Australian Centre for Clinical and Research Excellence
• Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)