The Australian cannabis industry is relatively young, despite the slow and steady rise of the market. Since it was legalised in some states in 2016, medical cannabis is still highly limited and regulated for public access to Australians. If your doctor has discussed the appeal of cannabis for your medical condition, here are some facts you need to understand first.
Australia’s initial effort to legalise cannabis was in the form of the “Legalising Cannabis Bill 2023”.
This bill proposes to allow anyone above the age of 18 years to grow up to six cannabis plants per household or share the growing of cannabis plants with other households. Secondly, it proposes the legal possession of cannabis for up to 50 grams per person. Of course, this bill had to contend with considerations like underage buying, excessive consumption, low quality medicinal or recreational cannabis, packaging of commercial cannabis, and other concerns pertaining to the industry. However, the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee released a report in May 2024 that the bill was not to be passed.
Medical cannabis is accessible in various forms.
A medical cannabis dispensary can offer this plant in various forms of the drug. It can come as a flower, as oils, as tinctures, or other forms that make it a great option for alternative medicine for various health-related conditions. The two medical cannabis products called Sativex and Epidyolex are the only forms that are registered with the TGA or Therapeutic Goods Administration.
At ground level, the situation can be a little bit more complex owed to the fact that Australian states and territories have different policies and laws on the possession and prescription of medical cannabis. In New South Wales, use, supply, and possession of cannabis is illegal with various sanctions for different instances of offenders.
Recently, in February of this year, the NSW government expanded its cannabis acceptance by allowing doctor prescription for medical cannabis. In fact, the NSW government extended its funding to include education, clinical trials, and further testing into the efficacy of cannabis for curing medical conditions such as epilepsy, nausea, seizures, and various cases of cancer. This kind of alternative medicine is even prescribed for patients with issues for mental health and depression.
For the state of Victoria, it is the first to ever legalise the use of medical marijuana, and even young children suffering from epileptic seizures were allowed to gain access to the medicine. The specific provision here is that medical cannabis dispensaries require the exact prescription of a physician if the drug is clinically appropriate for the case and obtains the necessary approval from the regulatory body in Victoria.
It’s a different case in Queensland,
Wherein medicinal use is prohibited and demands up to 20 years of imprisonment for cases of unlawful possession, supply, production, and trafficking of the drug. Even registered practitioners who deem marijuana as a relevant medical treatment are not allowed to prescribe cannabis until it was later amended by legislation in June 2020. Since then, Queensland doctors may give prescriptions for Schedule 4 CBD, Schedule 8 THC, or cannabidiol oil products without seeking prior approval or licence from the state’s health authorities.
It’s best to talk with your medical cannabis dispensary about this alternative medicine, all to achieve a holistic lifestyle and better well-being.
