Narcotic Drugs Amendment Bill 2016

The Narcotic Drugs Amendment Bill 2016 amended the Narcotic Drugs Act 1967 to permit the Commonwealth to allow for cannabis cultivation for medicinal and related scientific purposes in accordance with the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961. Prior to the amendment, cannabis cultivation for medicinal and related scientific purposes was prohibited.

Amends the Narcotic Drugs Act 1967 to:

• give effect to certain of Australia’s obligations under the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961 (the Single Convention);
• establish licensing and permit schemes for the cultivation and production of cannabis and cannabis resin for medicinal and scientific purposes, and for the manufacture of narcotic drugs covered by the Single Convention;
• provide for monitoring, inspection and enforcement powers for authorised inspectors and for the secretary to give directions to licence holders and former licence holders; and
• enable the secretary to authorise a state or territory government agency to undertake cultivation and production of cannabis and manufacture of medicinal cannabis products; and the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 to make a consequential amendment.