Is Cannabis / THC legal in Australia?
- Legal status
- Schedule 8 controlled drug (medical cannabis: nabiximols/THC); recreational status not confirmed by these sources — verify
- Consequences if caught
- Cannabis medicines (nabiximols/THC) are Schedule 8 'controlled drugs'/'drugs of addiction' under the Poisons Standard. The reachable sources (TGA/ODC) address only medical cannabis; the recreational legal status of cannabis was not stated — verify with the TGA / relevant state law / your embassy.
- If prescribed or medical
- Medical cannabis (Schedule 8) may be carried under the traveller's exemption with a valid paper prescription or doctor's letter, original packaging, and declaration to the Australian Border Force.
- Documentation
- Traveller's exemption: carry up to a 3-month supply of a medicine (including a Schedule 8 controlled substance) for personal use or for immediate family travelling with you, provided the medicine is legal in the country of departure. Carry a valid PAPER prescription or doctor's letter showing your name and dosage (an eScript is not accepted), keep medicines in original packaging, and declare them to the Australian Border Force. Prohibited substances are NOT covered.
- tga.gov.au
- odc.gov.au
- Narcotic Drugs Act 1967
Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with Australia’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.
Before you travel
Verify current rules with the destination country’s official drug authority and your own country’s embassy before traveling. Find the destination’s U.S. embassy & official country guidance →
Non-U.S. travelers: check your own government’s travel advisory and embassy.
If you’re detained or arrested abroad
Contact your own country’s embassy or consulate in the destination immediately — not the destination’s authorities. U.S. citizens: contact the nearest U.S. embassy/consulate and the U.S. State Department at +1-202-501-4444 (from abroad). If a U.S. citizen is arrested or detained abroad →