The Australian cannabis industry is expected to grow significantly over the next several years, with research firm Prohibition Partners forecasting that the market could be worth AU$1.55 billion by 2024. This increase in demand is likely due to the increasing availability of legal medical marijuana, which has been shown to alleviate the symptoms of chronic pain and other conditions. In addition to reducing the need for more invasive pharmaceutical medications, medical marijuana is also safer than recreational cannabis, which can lead to negative side effects, such as paranoia and addiction.
The government of Australia has recognised the potential benefits of medicinal cannabis and has implemented laws to allow for the cultivation, manufacture, prescribing, and dispensing of medicinal cannabis products in Australia. The Commonwealth Department of Health regulates medicinal cannabis through the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). There are a number of ways to access medicinal cannabis in Where can i buy Cannabis in Australia , including via the PBS or through a clinical trial.
In NSW, anyone with a debilitating medical condition can obtain a prescription for medicinal cannabis from their doctor. This includes cancer patients who require appetite stimulation, pain management and reduction of nausea; children with severe intractable epilepsy; and people with spinal cord injuries that cause chronic pain. The NSW government has even set aside a funding of AU$9 million to establish a Centre for Medicinal Cannabis Research and Innovation to educate the community and monitor clinical trials.
Those who are not eligible for a prescription can still purchase medicinal cannabis from licensed dispensaries in the state, or online. However, the process is not without risk. Purchasing medicinal cannabis from an unlicensed dealer can be illegal, and in some cases, dangerous. These unlicensed dealers may sell low-grade or fake cannabis, or they may simply fail to deliver the product at all. Furthermore, if an unlicensed seller is caught, they can face up to two years in jail or fines of up to AU$2,000.
If you are an Australian citizen travelling overseas, you can bring a limited amount of medicinal cannabis back into the country for your own personal use. This is subject to a traveller’s exemption and requires the approval of your doctor and the ACT Chief Health Officer.
Despite being illegal, some people do try to buy recreational cannabis online in Australia. The most common way they do this is through sites that claim to offer “discreet, secure and fast” delivery of the drug. These sites usually use North American language and promote cryptocurrency as a payment method, but they should not be trusted. These sites are a scam, and should be avoided at all costs. If you do want to purchase cannabis online, look for legitimate recreational weed sites that are specific to Australia. Some examples include CannabisShop-AU, AussieHoochDelivery, and Buy Weed Australia.
