Medicinal Cannabis Western Australia | FAQs

Is medicinal cannabis legal in Western Australia?

Medicinal cannabis is legal in Western Australia (WA) for scientific research or medical purposes. The Australian Government federally legalised medicinal cannabis in 2016 as part of a national licensing scheme. An amendment to the Narcotics Drugs Act 1967 introduced a licensing and permit scheme for cannabis plants. This allowed for regulated cultivation, importation, production and manufacture of cannabis plants and cannabis products.

Do you need a prescription for medicinal cannabis in WA?

You require a prescription to possess medicinal cannabis in Western Australia. Doctors can prescribe medicinal cannabis to patients they believe will benefit from it. Prescriptions are written for specific medicinal cannabis products, and appropriate dosages are assigned depending on the patient.

Who can prescribe medicinal cannabis in WA?

Any doctor can prescribe medicinal cannabis to a patient in WA. If they believe a patient will benefit from it, they may write a prescription and apply for the required approvals. All medicinal cannabis products are considered “unapproved products”. As such, they require WA Department of Health authorisation and Therapeutic Goods Administration’s (TGA) approval for each patient through the Special Access Scheme (SAS). Doctors can become authorised prescribers, which allows them to prescribe unapproved products to multiple patients rather than seeking approval for each individual. Patients with a history of drug dependency require a suitable specialist to provide a prescription.

Who can supply medicinal cannabis in WA?

Companies that have obtained the appropriate licences can supply medicinal cannabis in Western Australia. For cultivation, importation, production and research of medicinal cannabis for scientific or medical purposes, a licence is required from the Office of Drug Control (ODC). To manufacture and package medicinal cannabis products, companies must conform to the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements set by the TGA, in addition to the ODC licence. For wholesale or indent supply of medicinal cannabis, companies may also require a state-level licence.

Who is eligible to qualify for medicinal cannabis in WA?

To qualify for medicinal cannabis in Western Australia, your doctor must determine that it would benefit your medical treatment. Regulators such as the TGA have not published a definitive list of conditions eligible for medicinal cannabis treatment. A healthcare professional must use their discretion to assess its suitability as a treatment option for individual patients. After doing so, they must seek approval from the WA Department of Health and the TGA as part of the SAS pathway.

Where can I buy medicinal cannabis in WA?

A patient can buy medicinal cannabis from any pharmacy in WA if a doctor has prescribed it. Pharmacies must source medicinal cannabis from licensed suppliers. The Medicines and Poisons Regulations from WA’s state health department outline the requirements for pharmacies dispensing medicinal cannabis products. They provide a uniform standard for the handling, storage and recording of all Schedule 4 or Schedule 8 medicines, including medicinal cannabis products.

How much medicinal cannabis can I possess in WA?

The amount of medicinal cannabis you can possess in WA varies based on the product and dosage outlined in your prescription. Medicinal cannabis must always be contained within its original packaging and include the associated prescribing information.

Can you drive while undergoing medicinal cannabis treatment in WA?

You are not allowed to drive while undergoing medicinal cannabis treatment that contains THC in WA. In Western Australia, driving with any Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in your system is criminal, even if it comes from prescribed medicinal cannabis. However, it is legal to drive with Cannabidiol (CBD) in your system. It is worth noting that CBD-dominant products may still contain traces of THC. Patients who must drive regularly, for work or otherwise, are advised only to use CBD isolate products. These have the lowest chance of containing any trace of THC. To better understand the risks, we advise patients to refer to label information or speak with their prescribing doctor.

Can you be fired for using medicinal cannabis in WA?

You may be fired from certain workplaces in WA for using medicinal cannabis. Companies have different policies regarding the use of medicinal cannabis. There have been cases where testing positive for THC has resulted in firing, despite coming from a prescribed source. The best action is to clarify your employer’s drug policy before beginning medicinal cannabis treatment.

Does health insurance cover medicinal cannabis in WA?

Health insurance can cover medicinal cannabis products in WA, but not always. Public health insurance such as Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme does not cover medicinal cannabis. Private health insurers in WA cover some or all of the costs of medicinal cannabis, depending on the policy. Check with your insurance provider for more information.

FAQS: MEDICINAL CANNABIS IN WA

Further Reading

Cannabis-based products

Cannabis

Medicinal Cannabis

Medicinal cannabis FAQs

Medicinal Cannabis Information Centre

Therapeutic Goods