Medicinal cannabis has been legal in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) since 2016. It was legalised nationwide as part of a federal licensing scheme. Access to medicinal cannabis products is strictly regulated for both patients and suppliers. Companies wishing to engage in the cultivation, manufacture, production or import of medicinal cannabis products must attain the appropriate licences and permits.It is important to note that the legislation surrounding medicinal cannabis is separate to the decriminalisation of recreational cannabis. In 2020, ACT law changed to allow for limited possession and private recreational use of cannabis by adults.
You require a prescription to obtain medicinal cannabis products in the Australian capital territory. Your doctor may issue a prescription to you if they believe it would benefit your treatment. A prescription gives you access to a specific medicinal cannabis product at an assigned dosage.
Doctors are able to prescribe medicinal cannabis products to patients in the Australian Capital Territory. Medicinal cannabis products are classified as “unapproved therapeutic goods”, so special pathways are necessary to prescribe them.A doctor using the special access scheme (SAS) pathway must get approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and the ACT Chief Health Officer for each individual prescription. The TGA and the ACT Health Department each conduct their own evaluation when examining an application. They may seek additional information from a prescriber if necessary.If registered as an authorised prescriber, a doctor may prescribe medicinal cannabis to a range of patients under their care. While they don’t need TGA approval for individual prescriptions, they must still seek approval from the ACT Chief Health Officer for each patient.
Companies that attain the relative licences and permits may supply medicinal cannabis in the Australian Capital Territory. The first requirement for businesses engaging in manufacture and import is a national-level licence from the Office of Drug Control (ODC). Additionally, companies engaging in manufacturing and packaging activities must uphold the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards set by the TGA.
A patient in the Australian Capital Territory can qualify for medicinal cannabis if their doctor believes it would benefit their medical treatment. There is no list of qualifying conditions that are set out by the TGA or ACT. A doctor determines eligibility for medicinal cannabis on a case-by-case basis for each patient. They can prescribe these products using the SAS or authorised prescriber pathways.
You are able to buy medicinal cannabis from any pharmacy in the Australian Capital Territory if you have a valid prescription. Medicinal cannabis products are scheduled goods, so pharmacies must take the appropriate measures when handling them. This includes specific requirements for storage and labelling based on guidelines from the TGA and the Pharmacy Board of Australia.
The amount of medicinal cannabis that a patient in ACT may possess is limited by their prescription. Their prescription specifies a particular product and allows them to obtain a set amount of it. This product must remain in its original packaging and retain the original prescription labelling.ACT law outlines separate guidelines for recreational cannabis. In the Australian Capital Territory, adults over 18 may possess two cannabis plants per person in their home, with a household limit of four. They are allowed to possess up to 150 grams of fresh cannabis or 50 grams of dried cannabis for personal use within their home.
You may not legally drive in ACT while undergoing medicinal cannabis treatment that involves THC. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is a primary component in many medicinal cannabis products. It is known to cause cognitive impairment, making it unsuitable for driving.Some medicinal cannabis products primarily contain cannabidiol (CBD). It is legal to drive with CBD in your system. However, many CBD-based cannabis products are known to contain traces of THC as well.CBD-isolate products have the lowest chance of containing traces of THC. These may be the most suitable for patients who must be able to drive during their treatment. Make sure to consult your prescription label and discuss with your doctor for more information.
You can be fired in ACT if your medicinal cannabis treatment conflicts with your workplace’s drug policy. THC is a common component in many medicinal cannabis products. It is also frequently listed as a banned substance for the purposes of drug testing. Even if it comes from a prescribed source, a positive THC result on a drug test may still result in firing. Talk to your employer about their drug policy before beginning your medicinal cannabis treatment.
You are able to travel domestically to the Australian capital territory with medicinal cannabis products. The requirements are that you must keep your prescription with you and make sure it has its original pharmacy packaging and labelling.
Public health insurance doesn’t cover medicinal cannabis costs in ACT but private health insurance may. Medicinal cannabis products are not eligible for public health insurance schemes like Medicare or the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Private health insurers may cover medicinal cannabis costs at their discretion. Ensure you have discussed the finer details with your insurance provider.
Government of the Australian Capital Territory
