Cannabis law in Queensland (2026)
Last reviewed: 13 October 2026
In short: Possessing, growing, supplying or using cannabis is an offence in Queensland. Medicinal cannabis can be accessed only as a legal product prescribed by an approved doctor and dispensed by an approved pharmacist.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Possession for personal usePersonal use by an adult | Criminal offence [1] |
| Quantity limitsPersonal use by an adult | There is no lawful amount. Possessing a dangerous drug is a crime under section 9(1). A court may order a person who pleads guilty to a minor drugs offence to complete a drug diversion assessment program. [1] |
| Growing at homePersonal use by an adult | Prohibited [2] |
| Sale to consumersPersonal use by an adult | Prohibited [2] |
| Use or carrying in public placesPersonal use by an adult | Prohibited [2] |
| Medical cannabisPersonal use by an adult | Legal for medical use [3] |
| VisitorsPersonal use by an adult | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Minimum agePersonal use by an adult | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Purchase limit in licensed shopsPersonal use by an adult | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Driving after cannabis usePersonal use by an adult | It is an offence to drive, attempt to put in motion or be in charge of a motor vehicle, tram, train or vessel while a relevant drug is present in the blood or saliva. The relevant drugs tested are methylamphetamine, MDMA, THC and cocaine, and there is zero tolerance: any trace can be penalised. Maximum penalty: 14 penalty units or 3 months' imprisonment. [4] |
Notes
- Section 9 of the Drugs Misuse Act 1986 makes possession of a dangerous drug a crime. That cannabis is a dangerous drug is set by the Drugs Misuse Regulation 1987, which could not be read; the Queensland Government 'Drug offences' page names growing cannabis plants among prohibited conduct.
- The Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000 defines 'minor drugs offence' (section 378B) and the police diversion options; those provisions were not read, so no weight threshold is stated.
- The qld.gov.au page lists using drugs among drug offences in general terms and does not name cannabis separately.
- No separate Queensland approval is needed for most schedule 4 and 8 medicinal cannabis products, but unregistered products need Therapeutic Goods Administration approval; patients may not use home-grown cannabis.
- Recreational use is prohibited, so this field does not apply and has not been given a value.
- Section 79(2AA) of the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 applies where a relevant drug is present; relevant drugs are prescribed by regulation, and the list was taken from the Queensland Government drugs and driving page, not from the regulation.
Sources
- Queensland Government (Office of the Queensland Parliamentary Counsel): Drugs Misuse Act 1986 (current as at 3 May 2024; uncommenced 2026 Act No. 7 annotated on 12 May 2026) (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
- Queensland Government: Drug offences (qld.gov.au, last updated 4 August 2026) (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
- Queensland Government: Accessing medicinal cannabis - qld.gov.au (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
- Queensland Government: Drugs and driving - qld.gov.au (consulted 15 October 2026) · all sources
National rules that also apply
These rules are set at national level in Australia and apply here too, alongside the rules above. All national rules for Australia
| Quantity limits | There is no single national rule. Possession, cultivation and use of cannabis are mostly governed by state and territory law, and those laws differ. (source: Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing) |
|---|---|
| Medical cannabis | Legal for medical use (source: Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)) |
More rules in Queensland
- E-scootersUse on public roads: Yes, paths and roads up to 60 km/h · Minimum age: 16 (12-17 if supervised)
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 50 km/h · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 100 km/h (110 km/h where signed)
- Deposit return schemes and plastic bagsNational deposit return scheme in operation: Yes, container refund scheme · Deposit per container: 10c refund
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 17 (P1 licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 16, with a supervisor
- Driving after drugsApproach to cannabis (THC): Zero tolerance · THC threshold: Any trace of THC
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Bicycle rules plus age and licence · Minimum age: 16 (12-17 if supervised)
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: No (unrestricted only)
- Foreign driving licencesOverseas licence valid for a visitor: Yes, while visiting · Overseas licence after becoming a resident: Citizen or resident visa: Queensland licence after 3 months
- Home educationLegal status of home education: Registration required · Nature of the parental duty: School or registration
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Offence without reasonable excuse · Locking or one-handed knives: Some one-hand opening knives category M
- MopedsLicence: Class RE or car licence
- Motorcycles: helmets and licencesHelmet required for the rider: Yes · Helmet required for a passenger: Yes
- Paid holidayMinimum paid leave a year (weeks): 4 weeks (5 for some shiftworkers) · Minimum paid leave as the law states it: 4 weeks a year; extra week for some shiftworkers
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Open/P2 only; L/P1 under 25: none
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes
- Smoke alarms in homesSmoke alarm legally required in homes: Yes, all homes · Minimum alarms and where: A smoke alarm in each bedroom. For each storey with bedrooms: in the hallway that a bedroom door opens onto (or, if a bedroom has no door to a hallway, in the part of the storey between that bedroom and the rest of the dwelling). For a storey with no bedrooms: on the most likely path of travel to an exit. All alarms must be interconnected.
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 18
- Towing trailers and caravans
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 18 · Minimum age to buy spirits: 18
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: Under 0.05% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.00% (zero)
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.