Australia Cannabis Law

Australia has built one of the world's most sophisticated medical cannabis regulatory frameworks since legalization in 2016 under the Narcotic Drugs Act. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and Office of Drug Control (ODC) jointly administer a tiered licensing system for cultivators, manufacturers, and researchers. Australia's regulatory rigor — combined with its proximity to Asian markets — has made it a hub for international cannabis companies seeking Asia-Pacific market access.

The Australian Cannabidiol (CBD) Scheduling change in 2021 allowed low-dose CBD products to be sold over the counter at pharmacies, creating a significant consumer market. Australia also became the first country to classify MDMA and psilocybin as recognized medicines in 2023, signaling an exceptionally progressive therapeutic approach that contextualizes cannabis within a broader psychedelic-inclusive framework.

Bob Hoban has advised US and Canadian cannabis companies on Australian market entry, ODC license applications, and M&A involving Australian licensed producers. Key advisory areas include the ODC cultivation and manufacturing license pathway, TGA schedules for cannabis products, Narcotics Drugs Act compliance, and Australian Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) considerations for international acquisitions of Australian cannabis companies.