Cannabis law in Western Australia (2026)
Last reviewed: 13 October 2026
In short: Possessing, using, growing or selling cannabis is an offence in Western Australia. For possession of 10 g or less police may give a cannabis intervention requirement instead of prosecution. Medicinal cannabis can be prescribed with Commonwealth approval and, in some cases, State authorisation.
| 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. For a minor cannabis related offence (possession of not more than 10 g of cannabis, not a plant under cultivation, resin or another derivative), police may give a cannabis intervention requirement instead of prosecution; an adult who has already been convicted of such an offence or given a requirement cannot be given another. [1] |
| Growing at homePersonal use by an adult | Prohibited [1] |
| Sale to consumersPersonal use by an adult | Prohibited [1] |
| Use or carrying in public placesPersonal use by an adult | Prohibited [1] |
| Medical cannabisPersonal use by an adult | Legal for medical use [2] |
| 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 | ⚠ Not yet verified |
Notes
- Possession and use are simple offences; supply is a crime. A cannabis intervention requirement is a notice requiring the person to attend a cannabis intervention session; the person may elect to be prosecuted in court instead. Young people under 18 are dealt with under their own rules in Part IIIA.
- The 10 g figure can be changed by regulation (section 8B(1)). The Act as read does not make any amount lawful.
- Some patients need patient-specific authorisation from the Department of Health CEO under the Monitored Medicines Prescribing Code.
- Recreational use is prohibited, so this field does not apply and has not been given a value.
Sources
- Western Australia Government (Parliamentary Counsel's Office): Misuse of Drugs Act 1981 (as at 13 May 2026, Official Version) (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
- Department of Health, Western Australia: Medicinal cannabis products (S4 and S8) (consulted 13 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 Western Australia
- E-scootersUse on public roads: Yes, paths and roads up to 50 km/h · Minimum age: 16
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 50 km/h · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 110 km/h
- Deposit return schemes and plastic bagsNational deposit return scheme in operation: Yes, Containers for Change · Deposit per container: 10c refund
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 17 (provisional licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 16, with a supervisor
- Driving after drugsApproach to cannabis (THC): Specified drug in system is an offence · THC threshold: Any cannabis detected
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Bicycle rules, 16+ · Minimum age: 16
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: No (unrestricted only)
- Foreign driving licencesOverseas licence valid for a visitor: Yes, while a visitor · Overseas licence after becoming a resident: Citizen or permanent resident: transfer within 3 months
- Home educationNature of the parental duty: School or registration
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Offence without lawful excuse · Locking or one-handed knives: Flick and butterfly knives prohibited
- MopedsMinimum age to ride: From 15 years 6 months · Licence: Class R-N or other WA 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: Mounted or not touched
- 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, on rent or hire
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 18
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 18 · Minimum age to buy spirits: 18
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.