Cannabis, widely recognized as “weed,” holds a complex and evolving status within Australia. The legal and social landscape surrounding cannabis continues to shift, encompassing both regulated medicinal applications and varying approaches to recreational use across different jurisdictions.
Cannabis Legality in Australia
Australia’s legal framework for cannabis operates under a federal system, with laws enforced at federal, state, and local levels. Federal laws govern medicinal cannabis, including its importation, cultivation, and production. State and territory laws dictate rules for personal use and possession, leading to considerable variation in enforcement and penalties across the nation.
Medicinal cannabis has been legalized federally since 2016 for cultivation, production, and supply. Patients must meet specific criteria and obtain prescriptions from authorized medical professionals. Recreational use remains largely illegal federally.
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is the sole jurisdiction where recreational cannabis is legal for adults, with restrictions. Adults aged 18 and over in the ACT can possess up to 50 grams of dried cannabis or 150 grams of wet material, and grow two plants per person, with a maximum of four plants per household. Public consumption and the sale, supply, or sharing of cannabis remain prohibited.
In other states and territories, recreational cannabis is generally illegal, though some have adopted decriminalization policies for small amounts. South Australia and the Northern Territory issue fines for minor possession rather than criminal charges. Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, and Tasmania classify possession as a criminal offense, though first-time offenders may be offered diversion programs or cautions. Across most of Australia, cultivating, selling, or supplying cannabis without authorization carries severe criminal penalties, especially for repeat offenders or large-scale operations.
Medicinal Cannabis Explained
Accessing medicinal cannabis in Australia is overseen by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Most medicinal cannabis products are “unapproved,” meaning they are not listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) as registered prescription medicines. To obtain these, a doctor must secure TGA approval through specific access pathways.
Registered medical doctors can prescribe medicinal cannabis if clinically appropriate after patient assessment. The primary pathways for access are the Special Access Scheme (SAS) and the Authorised Prescriber (AP) Scheme. The SAS allows prescribers to apply for approval to supply an unapproved product for a single patient on a case-by-case basis. The AP Scheme permits a medical practitioner to prescribe a specific unapproved product to a group of patients with the same condition, usually after approval from a Human Research Ethics Committee or specialist college endorsement.
While there are no TGA restrictions on medical conditions, common conditions for which it is prescribed include chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, anxiety, PTSD, and cancer-related symptoms. Medicinal cannabis products are available in various forms, such as oils, dried flower, and capsules. The TGA encourages prescribers to consider ARTG-included treatment options first. Patients, in consultation with their doctors, accept responsibility for any adverse outcomes of unapproved products.
Common Effects and Risks
Cannabis consumption can lead to a range of physiological and psychological effects, varying based on dosage, product composition, and individual characteristics. Immediately after use, common effects include:
Altered sense of time and space
Feelings of euphoria or relaxation
Increased appetite
Impaired coordination
Disorientation
Confusion
Dizziness
Slowed reaction times
Potential short-term risks include anxiety, paranoia, or distrust, especially with higher doses or potent products. Impaired judgment can also occur. Physical side effects may involve dry mouth, nausea, and an increased heart rate, lasting up to three hours after smoking.
Long-term use of cannabis carries several considerations, including:
Smoking can damage lung tissues and lead to respiratory issues like bronchitis, due to toxins, irritants, and carcinogens.
Potential for dependence, with approximately 1 in 10 adult users developing addiction, increasing to 1 in 6 for those who start before age 18.
Regular, heavy use, especially during adolescence, may impact brain development, affecting attention, memory, and learning, and potentially leading to permanent IQ loss.
Frequent use is linked to a higher risk of developing conditions like schizophrenia or other psychoses in predisposed individuals.
Long-term users of high doses of THC may be at risk for cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, characterized by frequent, severe vomiting.