The medicinal cannabis industry in Australia falls under the Therapeutic Goods Act, 1989 (TGA). This Act ensures that all therapeutic goods available in Australia are safe and fit for purpose.

Under TGA, medicinal cannabis is only administered through the following schemes:

 Authorised Prescriber Scheme (AP)
 Special Access Scheme (SAS)
 Clinical trials

An authorised prescriber is a medical practitioner with approval to prescribe unapproved therapeutic goods for patients in their immediate care.