Medicinal cannabis was legalised across the whole of Australia, including in Victoria (VIC). Federal legislation in 2016 made medicinal cannabis legal for medical treatment and scientific research. A national licensing scheme provides controlled access to these products. Companies must obtain the appropriate state and national licences to produce, manufacture, cultivate or import medicinal cannabis plants or products.
As a patient, you need a prescription to access medicinal cannabis products in Victoria. A doctor can prescribe medicinal cannabis when they believe it would benefit a patient. Prescriptions allocate specific products in specific dosages to said patient.
Doctors and nurse practitioners are able to prescribe medicinal cannabis products to patients in VIC. Most medicinal cannabis products are scheduled medicines with restricted access. Health professionals must use the authorised prescriber or Special Access Scheme (SAS) pathways to prescribe them. Using the SAS requires Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approval for each individual patient.As an authorised prescriber, a doctor can prescribe medicinal cannabis to a range of patients under their care. Any physician prescribing a medicinal cannabis product must log it in Safescript, Victoria’s prescription monitoring system. To prescribe medicinal cannabis to a patient with a history of drug dependency, a permit is required from the Victorian Department of Health.
Companies may supply medicinal cannabis products in Victoria when they have the appropriate licences. The Office of Drug Control (ODC) provides a national licence that companies must obtain for any cultivation, importation, research and production activities. Companies engaging in domestic manufacturing activities must also obtain a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) licence from the TGA. As of 1 July, 2023, imported products must comply with equivalent Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards. If supplying cannabis by wholesale, companies require a Victorian poisons licence from the Department of Health and Humanities (DHHS).
A patient is eligible for medicinal cannabis treatment in Victoria if their doctor believes it would medically benefit them. The TGA does not outline a specific list of conditions that make someone eligible for medicinal cannabis. Doctors must independently assess patients to determine their suitability. If they decide to prescribe medicinal cannabis products, they must use the authorised prescriber or SAS pathway.
You can buy medicinal cannabis from pharmacies in Victoria with a prescription from your doctor. Any medicinal cannabis products must be handled and dispensed according to the same standards as all scheduled goods. There are no separate state-level requirements for medicinal cannabis products.Pharmacists in Victoria are required to check Safescript before dispensing any products that contain THC. They must supply the goods according to the instructions written on the prescription. If a product substitution is required due to stock issues, they must contact the prescriber and obtain verbal or written instruction to dispense a different product.Pharmacies are not authorised to hold stock for unapproved medicine that hasn’t been authorised to be supplied to a patient.
The amount of medicinal cannabis someone may possess in Victoria is limited by their prescription. A prescription will always outline the type of product someone may possess and the amount of said product. Prescribed medicinal cannabis products must always stay in their original packaging and include all the relevant labelling from the pharmacy or doctor.
It is a criminal offence to drive while undergoing medicinal cannabis treatment that involves THC in Victoria. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a substance contained within many medicinal cannabis products. It may potentially impair cognitive function, making it incompatible with safe driving.Cannabidiol (CBD) is another substance that is commonly found in medicinal cannabis products. CBD may legally be in your system while you are driving. However, it’s important to note that many CBD products contain trace amounts of THC. CBD isolate products have the lowest chance to contain THC, so they are recommended to patients who must drive regularly. Consult your doctor and your prescription label for more clarification on this.
It is possible to be fired for using medicinal cannabis products in Victoria. It depends on the drug-testing policy at your workplace. Drug testing policies typically list THC as a banned substance. THC is a common component in medicinal cannabis products. This puts it in conflict with most company drug policies and could result in your firing. Speak with your employer about their drug policy before beginning medicinal cannabis treatment.
You may travel domestically to Victoria with legally prescribed medicinal cannabis products. It is a requirement to have your prescription and all relevant paperwork on hand. The prescribed products must remain in their original packaging and retain their original pharmacy labelling.
Depending on your insurance provider, health insurance may cover the cost of medicinal cannabis products in Victoria. Medicinal cannabis products are ineligible for cover by public health insurance. This means they will not be covered by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) or Medicare. Depending on the policy, a private health insurer could cover the cost of your medicinal cannabis treatment. Make sure to clarify this with any insurance providers you are considering signing with.
Victoria Government Department of Health
Agriculture Victoria
Better Health Channel
SafeScript
