Medicinal cannabis is legal in South Australia (SA) following the Narcotics Drug Amendment Act in 2016, which legalised medicinal cannabis nationwide. It established a national licensing scheme, which allows for regulated access to medicinal cannabis products for patients.
Yes, a prescription is required to access medicinal cannabis products in South Australia. A doctor, or registered medical professional, must apply for authorisation to prescribe it, which can be done using either the Special Access Scheme (SAS) or by becoming an authorised prescriber.
Medicinal cannabis products are Scheduled medicines and considered “unapproved therapeutic goods” by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). This means that doctors must use the appropriate pathways to prescribe these products. Doctors who are using the Special Access Scheme (SAS) pathway must seek TGA approval for each individual patient prescription that they write. In certain circumstances, they must seek additional approval under the South Australia Controlled Substances legislation. This includes when prescriptions are longer than two months, when the patient has already been prescribed scheduled medicines for at least two months or when the patient has a history of drug-dependency.If using the authorised prescriber scheme, doctors may prescribe medicinal cannabis to a range of patients under their care. They do not require TGA approval for individual patients.
A national-level licence and permit granted under the Commonwealth licensing scheme for medicinal use and granted by the Office of Drug Control (ODC) is necessary to cultivate, produce, import and wholesale medicinal cannabis. Any manufacturing and packaging activities must further comply with the TGA’s Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines. It’s not possible to buy medicinal cannabis in South Australia over the counter and patients will not be able to access medicinal cannabis products without a valid prescription.
There is not a restricted list of medical conditions for which medicinal cannabis may be prescribed in South Australia.A patient is eligible for medicinal cannabis treatment in South Australia if a doctor determines that it would benefit them.
Yes, you can buy medicinal cannabis from any pharmacy or chemist in South Australia if you have a prescription. Pharmacies must handle medicinal cannabis products in the same way as any scheduled goods. Their dispensing activities must comply with the standards set by the TGA and the Pharmacy Board of Australia. Medicinal cannabis products are not sold over the counter.
The amount of medicinal cannabis you can possess in South Australia is limited by your prescription. Your prescription outlines a particular product in a specific dosage that you may possess. Any medicinal cannabis products you possess must remain in their original packaging and retain their pharmacy labelling.
You may not legally drive in SA while undergoing medicinal cannabis treatment that involves Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Under South Australian road laws that were updated in 2023, any driver caught with THC in their system will lose their driving license automatically, regardless of whether they have a THC prescription. A parliamentary inquiry into the zero-tolerance approach called unanimously for change in 2024, but no amendments have yet been made. While Cannabinol (CBD) is legally allowed to be in your system when you are driving, it is worth noting that many CBD-dominant products contain trace amounts of THC. Patients should read their prescription carefully to ensure they stay on the right side of the law.
Each company has its own drug testing policy, and many list THC as a banned substance. Patients should be advised to discuss the company drug policy with their employer and to consider consulting an employment law specialist. If a patient’s job involves driving or operating heavy machinery, medicinal cannabis may be prohibited due to the nature of the position, however, a patient should consult with their employer and healthcare professional. There are also legal ramifications to driving with THC in your system, as detailed above.
Under the Traveller’s exemption, you can travel domestically with up to three months’ of your medicinal cannabis prescription. Any medicinal cannabis products on your person must remain in their original packaging. You must have your prescription with you at all times.
Health insurance can cover medicinal cannabis in SA under certain providers. Medicinal cannabis products are ineligible for public health insurance like Medicare or the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). However, certain private insurance companies may cover medicinal cannabis costs as an optional extra. Talk to your insurance provider for exact details.
Government of South Australia
Therapeutic Goods Administration
