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Medicinal cannabis crops now legal in Australia

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.
Medicinal cannabis: Health Minister Sussan Ley. Photo: Paul Jeffers

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