This page provides health professionals with information and resources relating to access pathways for medicinal cannabis.
Accessing medicinal cannabis for a patient
There are four pathways for accessing 'unapproved' medicinal cannabis, if you determine that it is clinically suitable for one or more patients.
- SAS Category A notification pathway
- SAS Category B application pathway
- Authorised Prescriber application pathway - standard ethics approval
- Authorised Prescriber application pathway - established history
Medicinal cannabis is not accessible via the SAS C notification pathway.
Learn more about the pathways for accessing unapproved medicinal cannabis.
If you are intending to import medicinal cannabis for a patient you will also need to obtain an import licence and permit from the Office of Drug Control.
However, imported medicinal cannabis can be sourced domestically from sponsors who hold relevant licences and permits.
Applications and reporting
Find out how to make an application using the SAS and Authorised Prescriber Online System. Information on your responsibilities as a prescriber, including consent and reporting is also available.
Learn more about applications and reporting for unapproved medicinal cannabis.
Medicinal cannabis by category
To assist health professionals and pharmacists in prescribing and supplying medicinal cannabis, we've published a list of products by ingredients, dosage form, quantity per dosage unit, and sponsor.
These lists should be used where TGA approval has been obtained and the prescriber requires assistance in choosing an appropriate product from the correct category based on cannabinoid content.
View the list of medicinal cannabis products by SAS and AP category.
Medicinal cannabis vaping devices
Vaping reforms
The vaping reforms have banned all vaping devices, including those used to vape medicinal cannabis.
Exceptions to the ban exist where vaping goods are included in the ARTG or are for supply to patients under an exception to registration such as the Special Access Scheme (SAS) or the Authorised Prescriber (AP) pathways.
Import licences and permits are required to import vaping devices.
For medicinal cannabis vaping devices, importers must give a notice to the TGA before importing the goods stating that the goods comply with the Essential Principles.
Unlike notified vapes for smoking cessation or the management of nicotine dependence, there is no published list for notified medicinal cannabis vaping devices.
Vaping devices can only be supplied to patients through pharmacies.
Patient access to vaping devices
If you prescribe medicinal cannabis for vaping, you may need to discuss with your patient what type of vaping device they will use.
There are some TGA approved medicinal cannabis vaping devices that are available through pharmacies.
These devices should be used to vape cannabis wherever possible.
Find more information about these products included on the ARTG on our Medicinal cannabis vaping devices that are approved in Australia page.
In limited cases where a prescriber considers that the medicinal cannabis vaping devices included in the ARTG are not suitable for a patient’s clinical situation, the TGA may grant approval or authority for the prescriber to prescribe a medicinal cannabis vaping device under the SAS (Category B) or the AP pathways.
The application must include a compelling clinical justification to supply the unapproved goods to the patient.
Applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis and there is no guarantee of approval.
The SAS A pathway, which is a notification pathway that allows a registered medical practitioner to access and prescribe unapproved medicinal cannabis for a patient who is seriously ill, may also be available.
A separate SAS or AP approval, authority or notification is required for the medicinal cannabis and the medicinal cannabis vaping device (unless the device is included in the ARTG).
Patients cannot purchase replacement parts for medicinal cannabis vaping devices that are not included in the ARTG unless a SAS or AP has been granted in relation to the part.
If you are considering applying under the SAS (Category B) or AP schemes for a medicinal cannabis vaping device because an ARTG-included device is not clinically suitable, you should consider making an application for both the device and its replacement parts.
Advertising
Advertising medicinal cannabis to consumers is illegal.
The Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 prohibits the public advertising of a substance or therapeutic goods containing a substance included in Schedule 4 or Schedule 8 to the Poisons Standard.
For more information, refer to Advertising guidance for businesses involved with medicinal cannabis products.
Advertising of vaping goods is prohibited unless authorised by the TGA, see Vapes: advertising and promotion.
Resources, clinical trials and clinical evidence
We've published a range of information to help health professionals learn more about medicinal cannabis, including guidance, videos, external research, and clinical evidence.
You can also access information from the Office of Drug Control if you need to apply for a licence and permission to import medicinal cannabis.