Medicinal cannabis was first legalised in South Australia (SA) in November 2016, when the Australian Federal Government passed a nation-wide Narcotic Drugs Act. This act meant that cannabis could be legally used for medicinal and research purposes, after decades of being deemed illegal.

In South Australia, the new legislation meant that people with a valid medical prescription could grow, possess and use cannabis for medicinal purposes. However, it still remains illegal to buy or sell cannabis products.

Since the legalisation of medicinal cannabis in SA, there have been a number of clinical trials and studies undertaken to investigate its efficacy in treating various conditions. Find out more about medicinal cannabis and its legislation in SA below.

The History of Medicinal Cannabis in SA

The history of medicinal cannabis is a long one, starting from ancient times. The use of cannabis for medicinal purposes was first recorded in China in 2737 BCE, when Emperor Shen Neng prescribed cannabis tea to treat a number of ailments including gout and rheumatism.

From China, the use of medicinal cannabis spread to India, where it was used in Ayurvedic medicine. In India, cannabis was used to treat a wide range of conditions including pain relief, nausea, vomiting and seizures.

The use of medicinal cannabis then spread to ancient Greece and Rome, where it was used for similar purposes. Cannabis continued to be used medicinally throughout the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods.

In more recent history, the use of cannabis as medication began to decline in the West with the advent of synthetic drugs. However, its use has remained popular in many Eastern cultures.

It wasn’t until the late 20th century that the use of cannabis as medication began to make a comeback in the West. This was due to a growing body of scientific evidence showing the potential therapeutic benefits of cannabis.

In 1996, California became the first US state to legalise medicinal cannabis, followed by a number of other states over the next few years. In 2001, Canada also legalised medicinal cannabis nationwide.

The legalisation of medicinal cannabis in South Australia came about as a result of many years of campaigning by patient advocates and medical professionals. The first major step towards legalisation was the formation of the Medicinal Cannabis Advisory Council within the Department of Health to oversee the implementation of the new legislation and to provide information and advice to health professionals and the public.

Medicinal Cannabis Products in SA

There’s a wide selection of medicinal cannabis products in the domestic market. However, each product has different levels of THC and CBD.

THC is the main psychoactive component of cannabis that produces the “high” feeling. CBD, on the other hand, is a non-psychoactive compound that has a number of potential therapeutic benefits.

The ratio of THC to CBD in a product will determine its effects. For example, a product with a higher THC content will produce more psychoactive effects, while a product with a higher CBD content will be more effective in treating medical conditions. In SA, studies are constantly being conducted on the appropriate THC to CBD ratio in medicinal cannabis.

The main types of medicinal cannabis products available in SA are:

• Oils: These are usually taken orally or applied topically. The active ingredients in cannabis oil are absorbed into the bloodstream and then distributed throughout the body
• Capsules: Capsules are similar to oils, but they’re taken in pill form. They’re a good option for people who don’t like the taste of cannabis oil or who have trouble swallowing pills
• Edibles: Edibles are food products that contain cannabis extract. They’re a good option for people who want to avoid smoking or vaping. However, it can take up to 2 hours for the effects of edibles to kick in
• Topicals: Topicals are cannabis-infused creams, ointments or salves that are applied directly to the skin. They’re a good option for people who want localized relief from pain or inflammation

SA Laws on Prescribing Medicinal Cannabis

In order to prescribe medicinal cannabis in SA, doctors need to apply for a licence from the Health Department. The application process is quite simple and only takes a few minutes to complete.

Once a doctor has been granted a licence, they can start prescribing medicinal cannabis to their patients. However, there are a few restrictions that doctors need to be aware of.

Firstly, doctors can only prescribe medicinal cannabis to patients who have been diagnosed with a specific medical condition. Secondly, the patient must have tried all other conventional treatments for their condition without success. Lastly, the patient must be over 18 years of age and they must be a resident of South Australia.

All requirements are in line with the South Australian Controlled Substances Act 1984, which regulates the prescription and supply processes of medicines in South Australia, including medicinal cannabis products.

How is Medicinal Cannabis in SA Regulated?

The Health Department is responsible for regulating the cultivation, manufacture and supply of medicinal cannabis products in South Australia, under the broader Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

In order to cultivate or manufacture medicinal cannabis in SA, businesses need to apply for a licence from the Health Department. Once a business has been granted a licence, they can start cultivating or manufacturing medicinal cannabis - however, with a few restrictions.

Firstly, businesses can only cultivate or manufacture medicinal cannabis for the purpose of supplying it to licenced medical professionals. Secondly, businesses must ensure that their products meet all quality and safety standards set by the Health Department. Lastly, businesses must keep records of all their production and distribution.

For patients, it is also strictly regulated to access medicinal cannabis in SA. In order to get a medicinal cannabis product, patients need to be prescribed it by a licenced medical professional.

FAQs - Medicinal Cannabis SA Laws

Below, we answer some of the most frequently asked questions concerning legal medicinal cannabis products and industry legislation in SA and Australia.

When was medicinal cannabis made legal in Australia?

Medicinal cannabis was made legal in Australia in November 2016. However, it’s still illegal to cultivate or manufacture cannabis for medicinal purposes without a licence from the Federal Government.

Is recreational cannabis legal in South Australia?

No, recreational cannabis is not legal in South Australia. Only medicinal cannabis products are legal.

Who can prescribe medicinal cannabis in South Australia?

In order to prescribe medicinal cannabis in SA, a medical practitioner needs to apply and obtain a license from the Health Department. After receiving an approval, they can prescribe the appropriate medicinal cannabis product to their patient.

What is cannabis approved for in Australia?

In Australia, medicinal cannabis is widely prescribed for various conditions such as chronic pain, cancer, anxiety and epilepsy. Research is ongoing to determine the efficacy of medicinal cannabis in treating these conditions, and whether there are any long term side effects of medicinal cannabis treatment that need to be noted.

Where can I buy medicinal cannabis in South Australia?

Cannabis medicines are only available from licenced suppliers. These products can be prescribed by a licenced medical professional and dispensed by a pharmacist.

Is CBD oil legal in South Australia?

Yes, CBD oil is legal in South Australia as long as it contains little THC. THC is the psychoactive compound in cannabis that gets people “high”. CBD oil products with less THC are classified as “low-THC hemp” products and are legal for human consumption under Federal law.