Budding cannabis producers can now apply for a licence to grow the crop legally in Australia, for medicinal use only.
The Narcotic Drugs Amendment Act 2016, which came into effect on Sunday, allows businesses to apply for a licence to cultivate cannabis or manufacture cannabis products for medicinal purposes, or to conduct related research.
![Medicinal cannabis: Health Minister Sussan Ley.](/web/20161102115004im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/8/9/w/z/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gse52t.png/1477814873431.jpg)
Health Minister Minister Sussan Ley said the changes would give patients and doctors access to a safe, reliable and legal source of cannabis for medicinal use.
"Until now, it has been difficult for patients to access medicinal cannabis products from overseas sources," Ms Ley said in a statement on Sunday.
"These new laws change that situation by providing for a domestic supply of medicinal cannabis products that are not readily available for import."
She stressed the changes do not decriminalise recreational cannabis use.
Licence applicants must pass a security test and meet strict requirements, and individual states and territories will still decide who can use medicinal cannabis.
AAP