According to the ABC, in WA there are no consequences for driving with traces of other medications such as opioids, benzodiazepines and anti-depressants provided the person is not impaired.
Medicinal cannabis is legal in the state, but it is illegal to take it and drive regardless of impairment.
More information to come shortly.
Tasmania is the only state where a person can legally drive with medicinal cannabis in their system. However, the Tas Health Dept recommends that patients do not drive whilst being treated and there are fines if a patient is considered impaired.
More information to come shortly.
Patients using medicinal cannabis should avoid driving or operating machinery. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the main psychoactive compound in cannabis, can remain detectable in urine for several days after the last dose.
In some cases, it may take up to five days for 80–90% of the THC to be eliminated from the body. Drug driving is a criminal offence, so patients are strongly advised to discuss the risks and legal implications with their doctor. Patients based in South Australia can find more information via SA health website below.
Victoria recently updated its road laws to allow magistrates the discretion to choose between issuing a fine or suspending a driver’s licence for those who test positive for THC, provided the driver was using medicinal cannabis as prescribed by a doctor and was not impaired at the time.
If you are using cannabidiol-only (CBD) medications, you are legally permitted to drive, provided you are not impaired. However, it is an offence to drive with any detectable amount of THC in your system, regardless of whether you are impaired or not.
You cannot drive legally if you have any detectable amount of THC in your system. The THC can be detected in a roadside saliva drug test. Transport Victoria recently released a factsheet to guide patients prescribed medicinal cannabis for a medical condition on drug driving laws.
It remains illegal to drive while being treated with medicinal cannabis that contains THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), the primary psychoactive substance in most cannabis products.
If you test positive for THC during a roadside drug test, having a valid prescription for medicinal cannabis does not provide a legal defence against the charge.
More information will be posted here soon.
In the Northern Territory it is illegal to drive under the influence of any drugs, including cannabis and medicinal cannabis.
More information will be added here shortly.
The ACT City Services website has up to date information on drug driving laws.
More information to come shortly!
Patients who are using cannabis-based medicines that contain delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) should avoid driving as it remains illegal.
This is because THC can impair essential cognitive and motor functions required for safe driving, including attention, judgment, memory, vision, and coordination.
Those taking cannabidiol (CBD)-only medicines are legally allowed to drive, provided they are not impaired.
However, since CBD can cause side effects such as drowsiness, fatigue, and lowered blood pressure, patients should consult their doctor to assess any potential risks before driving.
NSW Health has a fact sheet on driving for patients prescribed medicinal cannabis.
Professor Heilpern highlights the inaccuracy of the random drug testing regime in New South Wales.
Professor David Heilpern was recently interviewed on Jeremy Buckingham MP podcast, Into the Weeds.
Drive Change Lead, Professor David Heilpern, highlights how most States treat patients who are on legally prescribed medicinal cannabis medications.
Drive Change Lead, Professor Heilpern wants laws amended to allow a defence for medicinal cannabis users in response to South Australia’s zero-tolerance approach for medicinal cannabis patients.
