Cannabis in Australia

Australia legalized medical cannabis at the federal level in 2016 through amendments to the Narcotic Drugs Act 1967, establishing one of the most significant medical cannabis programs in the Asia-Pacific region. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) oversees the regulatory framework, with medical cannabis accessible through the Special Access Scheme Category B (SAS-B) and Authorized Prescriber pathways.

The Australian medical cannabis market has experienced rapid growth, with patient numbers exceeding 500,000 active patients by 2025. The TGA has approved hundreds of medical cannabis products, and a growing network of specialized clinics and telehealth services has improved patient access. Australia has become one of the world's largest medical cannabis markets by patient count, driven by relatively liberal prescribing guidelines and growing physician acceptance.

Australia also has a developing cannabis cultivation industry, with the Office of Drug Control (ODC) issuing licenses for cultivation and manufacturing. Several Australian-based cannabis companies are publicly listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), creating one of the few dedicated cannabis equity markets outside North America. Companies like Incannex Healthcare, Little Green Pharma, and others have built cultivation, manufacturing, and distribution operations.

Recreational cannabis remains illegal at the federal level, though the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) legalized personal use and cultivation in 2020, making Canberra the first Australian jurisdiction to permit recreational cannabis. Several other states and territories are considering reform, and national legalization discussions have gained momentum as the medical market demonstrates manageable regulation and growing public acceptance.