Australia’s Cannabis Import Quota Slashed Amid Surging Local Production

Australia’s Office of Drug Control (ODC) said that the country’s 2025 cannabis import quota has officially been reduced by the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) from 101 tonnes to 88 tonnes, Business of Cannabis reported on Tuesday (October 28).

Demand over projections and idle permits that limited operational flexibility were cited as reasons for the reduction, adding that Germany is moving in the opposite direction following higher patient demand and authorised import surge.

Local production of cannabis was reported to have soared 70 percent in 2024, which could likely have affected overestimation for this year. Data revealed that imports from Australia grew from from 44,573 kilograms in 2023 to 77,406 kilograms in 2024.

The country annually receives an import estimate based on forecast patient demand and stock level records.

For 2025, the ODC was said to have received applications totaling around 150 tonnes.

“In practice, only half that amount was ever imported, as many permit holders either failed to use their approvals or imported substantially less than forecast,” Business of Cannabis said.

As a response, the ODC made it a rule that companies that fail to import at least 75 percent of their approved volumes in 2025 will see their 2026 forecast reduced to match actual imports.

This aims to prevent overestimating import needs in the future, with repeat offenders possibly facing limits on future allocations.

Importers are also required to return unused or partly used permits and label requests for the following year to avoid double-counting.

On another note, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) implemented a new packaging policy effective in September.

In a post, it was stated that dried cannabis plant parts, except for seed, may now be imported in 10-gram packaging sizes without the need for inspection.

“(This) limitation has been determined to be a suitable remedial option to sufficiently mitigate the biosecurity risks associated with dried cannabis plant parts other than seed,” DAFF explained.