South Australia will no longer require doctors and patients to seek state approval for initial prescriptions of medical marijuana and medicinal cannabis products.

State approval will still be required for treatment lasting longer that two months, or for patients already using another Schedule 8 drug.

"The South Australian Government is committed to ensuring South Australians have access to the full range of treatments and services to promote the best health outcomes for patients and the community," said acting premier Kyam Maher.  "The opportunities for industry development of medicinal cannabis may also provide for high value jobs across the supply chain from research and development, growing, manufacture and transport and logistics."

Medical Marijuana

SA also established The Office for Industrial Hemp and Medicinal Cannabis to support the fledgling industry, providing a single point of contact for new growers and/or processors.

Weed

"The Office of Industrial Hemp and Medicinal Cannabis will help develop the medicinal cannabis and industrial hemp industry in SA and provide a single contact point for information and advice regarding these industries," Mr Maher said.