Medicinal cannabis refers to approved cannabis products intended for therapeutic use. These products contain a high concentration of cannabinoids, such as THC and/or cannabidiol. There are regulations on the cultivation and production of and access to medicinal cannabis.
Patient access to medicinal cannabis in Australia is growing, and businesses have invested in Victoria to develop medicinal cannabis products.
Agricultural research
Agriculture Victoria Research is licensed by the Australian Government to undertake medicinal cannabis research. Agriculture Victoria Research is a world leader in cannabis plant genomics and systems biology. Agriculture Victoria Research can offer Australian growers and manufacturers technical and research services including:
- Advisory services
- Technical services, including tissue culture, cultivation, extraction, manufacture, and comprehensive compositional analysis of medicinal cannabis
- Collaborative and industry sponsored research and innovation in medicinal cannabis systems biology and accelerated precision breeding of medicinal cannabis
- Other technical and research services.
For more information you can contact Agriculture Victoria Services on AVS.Enquiries@agriculture.vic.gov.au
Cultivation and production
In Australia, cannabis is defined as a narcotic plant. Cannabis cultivation and production requires a licence and permit from the Commonwealth Office of Drug Control (ODC) under the Narcotic Drugs Act 1967.
- Cultivation includes sowing a seed of cannabis plant, planting, growing, tending, nurturing, harvesting, grafting, dividing, or transplanting a cannabis plant.
- Production means the separation of cannabis and cannabis resin from the plant.
You may need to establish a supply agreement with a manufacturer to obtain an ODC licence. See the list of licenced manufacturers.
The Victorian Government is not responsible for regulating the cultivation or production of medicinal cannabis. If you have an ODC licence and permit, you do not need an additional Victorian licence or permit for medicinal cannabis cultivation or production.
Find more information on cultivation and production from the Department of Health.
Manufacturing and wholesale
Manufacturers and wholesalers of medicinal cannabis in Victoria must comply with both Commonwealth and Victorian government regulations.
Firstly, a manufacturer must obtain both a licence and permit for the manufacture of medicinal cannabis from the Commonwealth Office of Drug Control.
Secondly, a manufacturer will likely require a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) licence from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
Finally, a manufacturer or wholesaler may need to obtain a Victorian licence or permit from the Department of Health to possess, sell or supply by wholesale any cannabis products.
Export and import
Export and import and medicinal cannabis is permitted with licences and permits issued by the Commonwealth Office of Drug Control and Commonwealth Therapeutic Goods Administration. The Victorian Department of Heath’s website has more information about import and export.
If you are a Victorian medicinal cannabis business looking to access new export markets, you can contact Global Victoria for assistance.
Patient access
Patients can legally access medicinal cannabis products through the Special Access Scheme and Authorised Prescriber Pathway administered by the Commonwealth Therapeutic Goods Administration.
The Victorian government has a compassionate access scheme that funds product for a limited number of children with severe intractable epilepsy.
Investing in Victoria
Victoria is an exciting hub for pharmaceutical and medical technology innovation. Collaboration across industry, academic and clinical communities facilitates access to expertise and knowledge and stimulates the development of new technologies and products.
Invest Victoria can provide a range of assistance to companies and businesses looking to establish or expand operations in Melbourne or regional Victoria. Assistance includes advice on site selection, market briefings, advice about government procedures and business case development.
If you are a small business or just starting out on developing a business, a range of information and support is available through Business Victoria.