Australia has been slowly increasing access to mecicinal cannabis over recent years. Cannabidiol (CBD) is now available in pharmacies across Australia without a prescription, while other types of medicinal cannabis require a GP visit and prescription first.
Medical marijuana is legal Australia-wide, although the official term is 'medicinal cannabis'.
Certain low-dose CBD oil preparations can be available over the counter, though most products are prescription only.
Health insurance can cover cannabis products under non-PBS prescriptions in an extras product, with some limitations.
Is medicinal cannabis covered by Medicare?
Medicinal cannabis may be legal in Australia, but it's mostly not subsidised by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), so you'll be essentially be paying the full cost of the medicine. Depending on your script, that could see you paying from $50 a month to a few hundred dollars a month.
Is medicinal cannabis covered by private health insurance?
Private health insurance can cover the cost of your cannabis prescription, under certain conditions. Extras insurance has a standard coverage category of 'non-PBS pharmaceuticals', which help pay for prescriptions that aren't subsidised by the PBS. This covers the majority of medicinal cannabis products.
However, to be covered by your extras policy, there are a few things that need to line up. Each provider has different rules about what they will and won't approve. Factors that change that approval include:
If your prescription is registered with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
If the item is on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG).
The documentation you have from your doctor.
The best bet is to ask your health fund before you pay for your prescription if they cover the cost. If you're considering a new fund and you have an existing prescription, check the policy you're thinking about to see if they will cover medicinal cannabis.
Is CBD oil covered by private health insurance?
Over-the-counter CBD oil generally won't be covered by your extras insurance, as funds typically only reimburse costs for prescription medicine.
It's important to distinguish these pharmacist-only CBD products from CBD products that require a doctor's prescription. Higher-dose CBD oils, or those combined with other cannabinoids like THC, are Schedule 4 (Prescription Only Medicine) or Schedule 8 (Controlled Drug) and always require a prescription.
One example of a prescribed, ARTG-registered CBD product is Epidyolex. This specific brand of highly purified CBD oil is approved for treating seizures associated with rare forms of epilepsy, such as Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, particularly in children. Epidyolex is a Schedule 4 or Schedule 8 medicine and is only available with a doctor's prescription. While CBD is researched for various therapeutic benefits, its use in products like Epidyolex for specific seizure conditions is a key TGA-approved application.
Important: Pure CBD oil does not contain THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) in significant amounts and therefore does not produce a "high."
Sativex oral spray
Sativex is primarily approved for the treatment of moderate to severe spasticity in adult patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) when other anti-spasticity medications have not been effective. Its use is typically considered after a trial period to assess efficacy and tolerability. As a Schedule 8 controlled drug, Sativex is only available with a doctor's prescription.
Important: Unlike pure CBD oil, Sativex contains THC, which is the main psychoactive component of cannabis. This is why it is a controlled drug and requires careful medical supervision.
Unregistered products
While many unregistered medicinal cannabis products are legal, they still require a prescription from a doctor and approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Only a doctor can apply to the TGA to get medicinal cannabis; you can't do it yourself. The doctor needs to provide medical evidence that you need it, obtain permits and comply with relevant state laws.
Is recreational cannabis legal in Australia?
No, the use of cannabis for non-medicinal purposes is illegal in Australia, with the exception of the ACT. In the ACT, adults can possess up to 50 grams of dried cannabis (or 150 grams of fresh cannabis) and grow up to two cannabis plants per person, with a maximum of four plants per household. Additionally, the NSW medicinal cannabis compassionate use scheme gives police officers the right to use their discretion to not charge adults with a terminal illness for possession of cannabis that hasn't been prescribed by a doctor.
In January 2018, the Australian Government announced its intention to develop amendments to the Narcotic Drugs Act 1967 which will regulate the cultivation of cannabis for scientific and medicinal purposes. However, cannabis is still a highly regulated drug in Australia and use, possession or cultivation for non-medical purposes can lead to criminal or civil penalties.
You can get medicinal cannabis if there is clinical evidence that it's effective for your condition and the usual treatments haven't worked. If the medicinal cannabis contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), you need to provide written consent you won't drive or operate heavy machinery. Your doctor will need to get approval from the TGA. Contact Queensland Health for more details.
Medicinal marijuana NSW
Any doctor in New South Wales can prescribe medicinal cannabis if they believe it's appropriate and they get approval from the TGA. Check with the Centre for Medicinal Cannabis Research and Innovation for further details.
Medical marijuana laws ACT
Doctors in the ACT can apply to the ACT Chief Health Officer for approval to prescribe cannabis products so long as there is a valid medical reason. Approved conditions for timely treatment include spasticity in multiple sclerosis, nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, pain and anxiety in patients with a life-limiting disease, and refractory paediatric epilepsy. Visit the ACT Health website for more info.
Medical marijuana laws Victoria
Any doctor in Victoria can prescribe medicinal cannabis for a patient if they believe it's appropriate and they get approval from the state authorities. Check health.vic for more details.
Medical marijuana laws Tasmania
Under the Tasmanian Government's medical cannabis controlled access scheme (CAS) launched in September 2017, specialists can prescribe medicinal cannabis where conventional treatment has been unsuccessful. Contact the Tasmanian Department of Health and Human Services for full details.
Medical marijuana laws SA
There's no restricted list of medical conditions for which medicinal cannabis may be prescribed in South Australia. It's decided on a case-by-case basis by your doctor. More information is available from SA Health.
Medical marijuana laws WA
Any doctor or medical practitioner can prescribe medicinal cannabis if they believe it is appropriate and they have the necessary approvals from the TGA. Visit the WA Government's Department of Health for more information.
Medical marijuana laws NT
Patients in the Northern Territory can access medicinal cannabis through doctors who are authorised under the Special Access or Authorised Prescriber Schemes administered by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. Visit the Department of Health website for full details.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, medical marijuana is legal in Australia, but most medicinal cannabis is only available with a prescription. While you can get CBD oil over the counter and pharmacies, other medicinal cannabis products like Sativex will need a script from a doctor.
Yes, the rules around medicinal cannabis do vary by state. For example, the ACT has a list of treatments where cannabis products can be prescribed, whereas SA has no such list, with prescriptions made on a case-by-case basis.
No, the use of non-medicinal cannabis in Australia is illegal, with the exception of the ACT. In the ACT, people over 18 years old can possess up to 50 grams of dried cannabis or 150 grams of fresh cannabis, grow two cannabis plants per person (4 max per household) and use cannabis in their home. However, it is still illegal to distribute cannabis, use cannabis in public, or drive while intoxicated.
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