Cannabis’s rise to mainstream popularity has been explosive. However, authorities still have a lot on their hands when it comes to regulating the often touted miracle plant. Especially in a pandemic-stricken 2020, the legalization, sale, and distribution of cannabis has somewhat stalled. The main question is how Australia has fared during these times. What is the legal status of CBD oil in Australia? Are there any guidelines for purchasing and distributing CBD that you should know about?

Before we dive in, we must shed light on cannabis’s rocky history in Australia. The British were the first to bring hemp seeds to Australian shores in 1788. They used hemp to build sales and cordage and peddled it as a potential medicine for various conditions. 

The Australian government endorsed hemp for over 150 years and granted subsidies and land to farmers to promote hemp cultivation. In 1920, the stigmatization surrounding marijuana use began, with a scathing anti-weed campaign led by the US government.

This culminated in the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937, which created a huge stumbling block in the commercial access of cannabis. Because hemp was also a cannabis plant, it was also included in the act.

Under the pressure of these developments, the Australian government imposed a ban on cannabis, which remained intact for many years. 

Is CBD Oil Legal in Australia?

In 2020, CBD oil is legal for sale and distribution. However, it would help if you had a prescription from a licensed doctor before using it. It is classed as a Schedule 4 substance, and you can only buy a CBD product, which has more than 98% of CBD concentration in its composition. 

Great. Now, you know that CBD is legal in Australia. The next step is getting it. 

Accessing CBD Oil in Australia

In Australia, there are two routes through which you can access CBD oil. Although there are illegal markets where CBD products are present in abundance, buying from these locations is not recommended. 

This is because the CBD industry in Australia is highly unregulated. Most of these products may contain harmful additives that may pose more harm to you than good. 

Legal access gives you a safety blanket. For this, you have to apply to a CBD-licensed clinic of a GP. If you choose your GP, they will submit your CBD application via the Special Access Scheme. However, this is a tedious and expensive process.

While the Australian government is working to make it more streamlined and easy to navigate, it’s still very convoluted at the moment. Authorities are also looking into the possibility of green lighting cannabis sales in pharmacies. This would allow its access without needing a prescription. 

Can Doctors Write a Prescription for CBD oil?

There’s also another way you can get your hands on CBD oil: online stores. E-Commerce is all the rage right now. Despite the economic impacts of COVID-19, eCommerce is why the CBD industry has turned in a profit instead of faltering like other industries. Before buying CBD oil from an online store, gather as much information as you can. This should include the reputation of the vendor, customer reviews, third-party lab results, and more. 

Remember, this is a substance you’re likely to consume on a daily basis. If it’s contaminated or doesn’t offer you the potential benefits you’re looking for; you might end up inviting trouble into your life instead of fixing something. 

There’s a lot of misinformation surrounding CBD products in the market. The TGA published a report alleging many foreign companies of using false claims to dupe consumers. 

The l experiences of Aussies who’ve purchased CBD oil from online stores have been generally positive. However, you still need to be cautious and do your homework instead of jumping the gun. 

Are CBD Laws Different For Each State?

One great thing about cannabis laws in Australia is that they’re the same for every state. Unlike the US, where CBD is legal for medicinal and recreational use in some states, whereas in others, it’s not, CBD laws for Aussies are uniform. 

This is because the key piece of legislation — the Narcotics Drug Act of 1967 — that permitted cannabis sale and distribution was signed at the federal level. Therefore, it applied to all states. 

However, the guidelines on CBD vary from one state to another. Here’s where you can find this information for each state:

• VIC – health.vic.gov.au
• NSW – medicinalcannabis.nsw.gov.au
• QLD – health.qld.gov.au
• WA – healthywa.wa.gov.au
• SA – sahealth.sa.gov.au
• TAS – dhhs.tas.gov.au
• NT – health.nt.gov.au
• ACT – health.act.gov.au

The Future of CBD in Australia

Australia has had a row with cannabis use since the dawn of time. However, times are changing. The Australian government is aware that it needs to change its stance on cannabis legalization and regulation, considering CBD’s scientific and economic boons is speculated to offer. 

According to one source, Australia may become the hub of cannabis in the coming years. A huge global market for cannabis may establish itself, which may be a gateway to the entire world, including distant locations, such as Asia.

This is because Australia is renowned for its state-of-the-art agricultural and crop management technologies. The environment for cultivating cannabis in Australia is also very hospitable. The climate is inviting, and there’s a lot of arid lands to dig into. Keeping these things in mind, there’s every possibility that the Australian authorities loosen regulations on CBD usage.  

Final Thoughts: Buying CBD in Australia

Bottom line: CBD is legal in Australia. However, there’s a legal way of getting it and an illegal way of getting it. We recommend the former. 

The CBD marketplace is crawling with products that are not third-party tested and may contain dangerous contaminants, such as pesticides, heavy metals, and other harmful chemicals. From whichever source you’re getting your CBD oil from, make sure you check the product thoroughly. Check customer reviews, and see if the brand you’re choosing doesn’t have any bad rep. Until authorities impose strict quality controls on CBD products, the responsibility of ensuring the safety and efficacy of your CBD oil falls on your shoulders. 

Many studies suggest that CBD has an excellent safety profile and may provide a host of therapeutic benefits, but it’s still good to stay on the safe side.