Legal
Cannabis in Canberra & the ACT — What's Legal, Delivery & Where to Buy (2026)
Cannabis possession for personal use is legal in Canberra under ACT law. Here's exactly what you can and can't do, how cannabis delivery works in the ACT, and how to order in 2026.
Canberra is unlike any other city in Australia when it comes to cannabis. Since January 2020, the ACT has permitted adults to possess small amounts of cannabis for personal use — making the Australian Capital Territory the only jurisdiction in the country where recreational cannabis possession is not a criminal offence.
Whether you live in Canberra, work in the ACT, or are visiting and want to understand your rights, this guide covers exactly what is and isn’t legal, the limits and conditions that apply, how cannabis delivery works in the ACT, and how to access products — including through our same-day delivery service.
What’s legal in Canberra (ACT) — the key facts
In January 2020, the ACT amended the Drugs of Dependence Act 1989 to decriminalise personal cannabis possession and cultivation. This was a significant move — one that puts the ACT ahead of every state in Australia in terms of cannabis liberalisation.
What adults (18+) can legally do in Canberra:
- Possess up to 50 grams of dried cannabis — in your own home, on your person or in private
- Grow up to 2 cannabis plants at home — for personal use (hydroponics and enhanced growing techniques excluded)
- Share cannabis with another adult, as long as no money or goods change hands
What remains illegal in the ACT:
- Selling or supplying cannabis (any amount, any price)
- Cultivating more than 2 plants, or using enhanced growing methods (hydroponics, grow lights are not explicitly excluded — but the law targets commercial-scale operations)
- Possessing more than 50 grams
- Cannabis in any public place (consumption in public is still an offence)
- Growing cannabis while children are present in the household
- Cannabis use while driving (strict zero-tolerance)
- Growing cannabis if you share the premises with someone under 18
The federal conflict: still complicated
Here’s the critical nuance many people miss: cannabis is still illegal under federal law. The ACT passed its reform under territory legislation, but federal law (the Criminal Code Act 1995) classifies cannabis as a prohibited substance and supersedes state/territory law in many circumstances.
In practice, ACT Police generally operate under ACT legislation, meaning you are unlikely to be charged under federal law for simple possession within the 50g/2-plant limits. However:
- Australian Federal Police (AFP), who have jurisdiction in the ACT, could theoretically apply federal law
- Supply (selling, distributing) in the ACT remains a federal offence
- Cannabis purchased from a retail dispensary — even a legal one — cannot be brought into the ACT from another jurisdiction without risking federal drug trafficking charges
This is the paradox of the ACT cannabis laws: you can possess it, but you cannot legally buy it from any store or supplier. The only legal source is your own 2 home-grown plants or a gift from another adult.
Cannabis delivery in Canberra
Cannabis delivery in the ACT operates the same way it does everywhere else in Australia: through retail providers who deliver directly to your address. The Cannabis Shop delivers same-day to Canberra with orders placed before 2pm reaching most ACT suburbs the same evening.
Same-day delivery covers Canberra CBD, Braddon, Kingston, Barton, Manuka, Griffith, Forrest, Reid, Yarralumla, Belconnen, Woden, Weston Creek and most inner Canberra suburbs.
Place your order before 2pm for same-day delivery, or anytime for standard next-day tracked delivery.
Cannabis laws compared: ACT vs other states
| Jurisdiction | Personal possession | Home growing | Recreational sale |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT | ✓ Legal (up to 50g) | ✓ Legal (2 plants) | ✗ Illegal |
| NSW | ✗ Criminal | ✗ Criminal | ✗ Illegal |
| VIC | ✗ Criminal (but discretion applied) | ✗ Criminal | ✗ Illegal |
| QLD | ✗ Criminal | ✗ Criminal | ✗ Illegal |
| WA | ✗ Criminal | ✗ Criminal | ✗ Illegal |
| SA | ✗ Civil penalty (under 100g) | ✗ Criminal | ✗ Illegal |
| TAS | ✗ Criminal | ✗ Criminal | ✗ Illegal |
| NT | ✗ Criminal | ✗ Criminal | ✗ Illegal |
For a full state-by-state breakdown, read our cannabis laws by state in Australia guide.
Medicinal cannabis in Canberra
Like all of Australia, Canberra residents can access medicinal cannabis through the TGA’s Special Access Scheme. The ACT has the highest rate of medicinal cannabis prescriptions per capita of any Australian jurisdiction — consistent with its generally progressive approach to drug policy.
To access medicinal cannabis in Canberra:
- Book a telehealth consultation with a cannabis-specialist GP
- Receive a TGA SAS-B prescription if approved
- Have products dispensed by a registered pharmacy
Read our complete guide to getting a medicinal cannabis prescription in Australia for the full step-by-step process.
Commonly asked questions about cannabis in Canberra
Is it legal to smoke weed in public in Canberra? No. Cannabis possession is only decriminalised in private settings. Smoking, vaping or consuming cannabis in a public place remains an offence under ACT law. This includes parks, streets, car parks and shared housing common areas.
Can I bring cannabis from NSW into the ACT? Not legally. Even though possession is lawful in Canberra, transporting cannabis across jurisdictional borders — from NSW into the ACT, for example — can constitute supply or trafficking under federal law. The ACT reform only applies within the territory.
Can I grow two cannabis plants at home in Canberra? Yes, adults 18+ can cultivate up to 2 cannabis plants at their private residence, provided no children live in the property and enhanced growing systems (large commercial hydroponics) are not used. Home grow is for personal use only.
What happens if you have more than 50g in Canberra? Possession over 50 grams is a criminal offence under ACT law. Possession above 300g is treated as a trafficking offence. The 50g limit is the threshold for personal-use decriminalisation.
Is cannabis legal at Australian Parliament House in Canberra? No — Parliament House is Commonwealth-controlled land, subject to federal law. Cannabis possession anywhere on Commonwealth-controlled premises in Canberra (including Parliament House grounds, ANU federal land etc.) is subject to federal law, not ACT territory law.
Can I order cannabis online in Canberra? Yes. Retail cannabis delivery operates throughout Canberra via providers like The Cannabis Shop. Browse our full product range and order for same-day or next-day delivery across the ACT.
Canberra cannabis delivery — neighbourhoods covered
Same-day cannabis delivery in Canberra covers all major suburbs including:
Inner North: Braddon, Reid, Campbell, Turner, Ainslie, Dickson, O’Connor, Watson Inner South: Kingston, Manuka, Griffith, Barton, Forrest, Red Hill, Hughes City: Canberra CBD, Parkes, Yarralumla, Acton Belconnen: Bruce, Charnwood, Flynn, Evatt, MacGregor Woden: Phillip, Weston, Lyons, Garran, Torrens Tuggeranong: Greenway, Calwell, Kambah, Erindale Gungahlin: Gungahlin, Nicholls, Palmerston, Harrison
Enter your ACT postcode at checkout to confirm same-day availability. Standard tracked delivery is available for all ACT and regional NSW postcodes.
Order cannabis delivery in Canberra or view our Canberra delivery page for full delivery details and FAQs.