In brief - Exports of medicinal cannabis and low-THC
goods will now qualify for Australian government certification,
which is required to meet the importing requirements of many
overseas countries
The Export Control Amendment (Certificate of Narcotics
Exports) Bill 2020 passed both houses on 17 June
2020.
The Bill broadens the current framework under which government
certifies agricultural exports by permitting certification of
legitimate exports of narcotic products. The change is aimed at
enabling Australian exporters to access markets in South-East Asia,
China, Canada and the United States.
The Bill amends the Export Control Act
1982 (Cth) and Export Control Act
2020 (Cth), the 1982 Act due to be replaced by 28 March
2021. These Acts regulate the export of goods (as defined) from
Australia. Before the Bill passed, narcotic goods were excluded
from the definition of goods in the Acts and thus were not eligible
for Australian government certification to
