Cancer, chronic pain, depression, epileptic seizures—these are just some of the medical ailments that recent studies have determined can be treated using cannabis or cannabinoid extracts. The use of marijuana for medical purposes has been legal in Australia for some time now, but the regulations concerning its possession vary greatly from state to state. With that in mind, here is a state by state guide for understanding cannabis in Australia.
New South Wales
In New South Wales, the NSW Health Office of Medicinal Cannabis is in charge of governing the use and prescription of medical cannabis products. They require that all individuals obtain a prescription or permission to use such products, and that the products are purchased from an authorized supplier. Physicians in this state are also allowed to prescribe medical cannabis to their patients, though they must go through an approval process in order to do so.
Victoria
In Victoria, the Victorian Access to Medical Cannabis Program is in charge of prescribing medical cannabis products or allowing physicians to do so. All requests to access such products must go through this program, which then monitors the usage of the products and ensures that they are used safely and appropriately. Physicians and patients alike must first fill out an application and obtain permission from the program before they can dispense or purchase medical cannabis products.
Queensland
In Queensland, the Access to Medicinal Cannabis Scheme is responsible for granting permission to individuals who wish to access medical cannabis products. This scheme also allows physicians to prescribe medical cannabis to their patients, provided that they have completed an authorization process. Individuals must also seek permission from the scheme before they can purchase any cannabis products from an authorized supplier or dispensary.
South Australia
In South Australia, the state has set up the South Australian Medical Cannabis Access Scheme, which is responsible for providing individuals with access to medical cannabis products. This scheme provides a list of approved suppliers and dispensaries that individuals can access, as well as a list of approved physicians that are allowed to prescribe medical cannabis products to their patients. All individuals must seek permission from this scheme in order to purchase or use medical cannabis products.
Western Australia
In Western Australia, the Medical Cannabis Access Regulations (MCAR) has been set up to control the access of medical cannabis products. All individuals must obtain permission from this regulatory body before they can purchase or use cannabis products. Physicians are also allowed to prescribe medical cannabis products to their patients, but they must go through an approval process in order to do so.
Northern Territory
In the Northern Territory, the Department of Health has established the Medical Cannabis Possession and Access Scheme (MCPAS), which provides individuals with access to medical cannabis products. All individuals must first obtain permission from the scheme before they can use or purchase medical cannabis products. Physicians are also eligible to prescribe such products to their patients, but they must go through an authorization process in order to do so.
Tasmania
In Tasmania, the Access Medical Cannabis Scheme (AMS) is tasked with regulating the use and prescription of medical cannabis in this particular state. All individuals must go through this scheme to obtain permission for using or purchasing cannabis products. Physicians are also allowed to prescribe medical cannabis products to their patients, but they must first go through an approval process in order to do so.
No matter what state you may be in, it is always important to understand the local regulations surrounding medical cannabis usage in order to stay on the right side of the law. With this guide, you should have a better understanding of the regulations that regulate the possession and usage of cannabis in each state of Australia.
