CQ producers can apply to grow medicinal cannabis from Oct

QUEENSLANDERS can apply to the Federal Government to grow medicinal cannabis as early as October.

Under the Narcotic Drugs Amendment Bill 2016, licensed cultivators can grow cannabis plants for medicinal use.

The Medicinal Cannabis Cultivation Scheme meeting expressions of interest are now being taken for an information session at CQUniversity on Monday.

But for potential cultivators to attain a licence they need to be able to demonstrate a business relationship with a manufacturer licensed under the Narcotic Drugs Act 1967, as amended.

Once licensed, a cultivator requires a permit, which sets out the number of plants and type of plants that can be grown.

In order to attain a permit, a cultivator must be able to present a contract between themselves and the manufacturer.

A Therapeutic Goods Administration spokesperson said the Commonwealth would assess all suitable applications on their merit, not geographical location.

"As a matter of policy to protect commercial interests, the Department does not and will not comment on the number or progress of applications," the spokeswoman said.

"The medicinal cannabis scheme is being established to provide access to medicinal cannabis products for Australian patients.

"The net value of the subsequent industry will be determined by the number and size of the patients groups proven to benefit from these products.

"Those patient groups have not yet been identified."

The Office of Drug Control will be publishing information on the licensing scheme as the commencement date draws closer.

A new website will be announced shortly on the Department of Health's website http://www.health.gov.au http://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/news/medicinal-cannabis-cultivation-info-session/3037324/