The Narcotic Drugs Amendment Act 2016 came into effect on October 30, allowing people to apply for a licence to cultivate cannabis for their own medical needs, to manufacture cannabis products for sale for medicinal purposes, or to conduct related research.
The Act now gives patients access to a safe, reliable and legal source of cannabis for medicinal use. Previously patients had to import medicinal cannabis products.
Another change coming into effect in early November through the Therapeutic Goods Administration will mean medicinal cannabis will no longer fall under the dangerous drugs schedule.
Instead, there will be provisions in place to use it on medical grounds, with certain approvals but only for very ill people.
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