Medicinal cannabis permit holders have been granted additional time to respond to an Office of Drug Control survey as the regulator explores the industry’s supply pathways.
The ODC is seeking information on how firms acquire and transfer medicinal cannabis so it can “better understand” industry practices.
The regulator said it was part of its regular communication with the industry and was not triggered by any concerns or issue it had identified.
Answers to the nine-question survey can be provided anonymously. An original deadline of July 31 for responses has been extended to August 16.
Among the questions asked of firms by the ODC is what percentage of cannabis they produced over the past 12 months compared to the quantity authorised, what proportion was either allocated to third party manufacturers, exported, retained for storage or disposed of as waste, and what the typical storage duration was prior to supply.
The regulator is also seeking feedback on any challenges companies have faced in supplying product through approved pathways.
The ODC said the responses will help it “better understand current industry practices and identify opportunities to develop practical guidance and support for licence holders”.
In a statement, the Therapeutic Goods Administration said the ODC “routinely engages with the medicinal cannabis industry to better understand emerging issues, operational challenges and information needs across the sector”.
“As part of this engagement the ODC has undertaken annual targeted education activities to support industry in meeting their regulatory obligations under the Narcotic Drugs Act 1967,” a spokesperson said.
“In 2026, the ODC is surveying permit holders on the supply pathways used to acquire and transfer controlled drugs.
“Responses are anonymous and the information gained assists us to understand current industry practices and determine if additional education and guidance material is needed to support permit holders.”
Asked if the subject of the survey had been triggered by any disquiet at an industry or regulator level, the spokesperson said it was “not initiated in response to any concern or identified issues”.
The survey can be found here.
