We’re used to pressing a button and having whatever we need to be delivered straight to our doorstep. We live in an age of instant gratification.
You’ve probably already googled ‘how to buy cannabis online Australia’ and found a number of websites claiming to sell and deliver weed straight to your front door.
While it sounds good in theory, doing this is absolutely not advisable, namely for legal reasons and health reasons.
We understand you’ve probably landed on this article because you want an answer for the aforementioned google search.
We can’t, in good conscience, tell you to go and buy weed online. What we will aim to do, however, is advise you of some of the best growers and producers within the Australian medical market.
This will help you to make an informed decision about which high-quality products you may consider discussing with your GP or cannabis clinician.
Can you buy legal weed in Australia?
Cannabis is still illegal for recreational use. However, medicinal cannabis products, including flower, are available via a prescription through a GP. An appropriate product will be prescribed based on individual symptoms and medical history.
Interestingly, flower accounts for 40% of market share of medicinal cannabis products approved through the SAS-B process.
So, in short, the only legal way to buy cannabis in Australia is by going down the medical pathway.
All other options, even online, are akin to visiting your friend’s uncle who knows a guy. Unsafe and unsavoury.
What Forms of Medicinal Cannabis are Legal in Australia?
It might surprise you to learn that there are 150 medicinal cannabis products legally available in Australia.
The most widely-known form of medicinal cannabis is CBD oil. Still, there’s a laundry list of other types available by prescription. These include, but aren’t limited to:
• Vape powder
• Capsules
• Cream
• Lozenges
• Crystals
• Flower
Legal Weed Options in Australia
Australia’s medical cannabis industry is in its infancy, but several progressive companies are rising through the ranks to supply Aussies with some of the best home-grown, TGA-approved cannabis products.
Benefits of purchasing Australian weed
Besides the fact you’re supporting Australian businesses, jobs, and industry, there are many benefits to obtaining cannabis from an Australian facility.
When cannabis plant material is imported into Australia, it needs to go through a decontamination process called gamma irradiation to reduce any suspected microbial overload.
Gamma rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation similar to X-rays and are often used to sterilise cannabis and other plant matter. According to the TGA, this process is only permitted providing it does not adversely affect the quality of the medicinal cannabis product.
However, the procedure remains controversial as there’s some evidence to suggest it may destroy certain terpenes found naturally in the plant.
Arno Hazekamp, Head of Research and Education at Bedrocan International BV, the leading producer of medicinal cannabis in The Netherlands, recently studied the effects of gamma irradiation on cannabis.
Hazekamp’s study used four different strains of cannabis grown by Bedrocan to assess the effects of the sterilisation treatment.
The study found no significant changes to CBD or THC levels in any of the four strains; however, a few terpenes were destroyed.
Hazekamp noted that while some terpenes were damaged or reduced, no new compounds were formed due to the irradiation.
Terpenes are naturally fragile and can be destroyed or reduced by vaping, smoking or even decarboxylating weed at very high temperatures.
Where to buy weed online in Australia?
As we’ve said, buying cannabis online is risky business. However, there are a number of forums and groups you can join to discuss cannabis with other like-minded individuals.
This Reddit group is dedicated to discussing all things cannabis in Australia. The discussions vary from medicinal cannabis to experiences using and growing cannabis. It’s a veritable treasure trove for anyone venturing into the wild green yonder of cannabis.
Who are some of the Australian cannabis companies producing top-notch flower?
ANTG (Australian Natural Therapeutics Group) cultivate and manufacture medicinal cannabis products in their state-of-the-art growing facility.
ANTG cultivate their crops in conditions that are as close to nature as possible, primarily using sunshine and supplemental light as required. Plants are grown in stone wool, an all-natural medium that allows optimal root access to nutrients.
Medicinal cannabis products are extracted via a residue-free process using supercritical carbon dioxide (Co2) extraction equipment; the products are then tested both in-house and by an independent third party to ensure quality and consistency.
ANTG flower products approved by the TGA
Little Green Pharma (LGP) is another Australian company at the forefront of medicinal cannabis innovation and research.
LGP is a vertically integrated company with operations ranging from cannabis cultivation to production through to manufacturing and distribution within Australian and international markets.
They take an active role in clinical trials and research to ensure they are developing a suitable range of medicinal cannabis products to address the real-world health concerns of Australian’s.