Medicinal cannabis

Cultivation, manufacture, importation and exportation of medicinal cannabis is tightly controlled by the Office of Drug Control (ODC), the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and local state and territories.

Medicinal cannabis for patients

ODC does not regulate access to medicinal cannabis for individual patients.

For information about accessing medicinal cannabis products, prescribing pathways and patient guidance, visit the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

Visit the TGA Medicinal cannabis hub

Information about medicinal cannabis

The cultivation of cannabis for medicinal purposes is only permitted in Australia under the Commonwealth Narcotic Drugs Act 1967 (the Act). The Act does not support the cultivation of medicinal cannabis for personal use. Cultivation and importation of cannabis for recreational use is prohibited in Australia.

Grow, produce or manufacture cannabis in Australia

You need a licence and permit to grow, produce or manufacture cannabis for medicinal or research purposes in Australia.
Importing medicinal cannabis products into Australia

Learn the requirements for importing medicinal cannabis into Australia, including licences, permits, approved uses and regulatory obligations.
Exporting medicinal cannabis from Australia

Learn about the requirements for exporting medicinal cannabis from Australia, including eligible products, export approvals and regulatory obligations.
List of approved medicinal cannabis cultivators and producers in Australia

See the list of cannabis cultivation and production licensees in Australia who have consented to the publication of their details.
List of approved manufacturers and suppliers of medicinal cannabis products

See the list of approved manufacturers and importers of medicinal cannabis products in Australia who have consented to the publication of their details.

Medicinal cannabis regulation

Compliance and Enforcement Framework 2025 - 2028

Guidance on legal obligations for controlled drugs and the regulatory tools used to support compliance and enforcement.
Quarterly reporting obligations for medicinal cannabis

How to submit quarterly reports, be ready for inspections, and what can happen if you don’t comply.
Risk management approach to the cultivation, production and manufacture of medicinal cannabis

Review of the 2016 amendments to the Narcotic Drugs Act, assessing how effectively the changes operated after two years of implementation.

Medicinal Cannabis Expert Working Group (MCEWG)

The Medicinal Cannabis Expert Working Group (MCEWG) provides advice to the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care on issues relating to the medicinal use of cannabis, in accordance with the Narcotic Drugs Act 1967 and the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989. It aims to address emerging issues and developments in the field of medicinal cannabis.

Related information

Medicinal cannabis cost recovery

Information on the medicinal cannabis cost recovery model reform in our annual CRIS documents.
Prescribing unapproved drugs

Medical practitioners can request access to unregistered medicines for their patients in certain circumstances.
Travelling to or from Australia with medicines and medical devices

Carry medicines into or out of Australia under the traveller’s exemption for personal use or immediate family and follow entry requirements of your destination country.
Licences and permits listed by type

Licences and permits by type for medicinal cannabis, kava, and controlled substances, including import, export and pre‑export notification requirements.

News

Medicinal Cannabis Expert Working Group, Meeting 8

25 August 2026

The Medicinal Cannabis Expert Working Group (MCEWG) met for its eighth meeting in Canberra on Tuesday 28 July 2026.
Medicinal Cannabis Expert Working Group, Meeting 7

13 April 2026

MCEWG Meeting 7 highlights medicinal cannabis policy developments, TGA consultation findings, research updates and the group's renewed tenure.
Hale Farm Pty Ltd fined $19,800 for alleged breach of the Narcotic Drugs Act

11 February 2026

Infringement notice issued to Hale Farm Pty Ltd totalling $19,800 for an alleged breach of its medicinal cannabis licence.