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Cannabis Laws in the Northern Territory 2026 — SCON Scheme, Penalties & Medicinal Access
A complete 2026 guide to cannabis laws in the Northern Territory — how the Simple Cannabis Offence Notice scheme works, NT possession penalties, cultivation rules, drug driving in Darwin and the NT, and how to access medicinal cannabis legally.
The Northern Territory operates a Simple Cannabis Offence Notice (SCON) scheme that provides a non-criminal pathway for adults found with small amounts of cannabis — positioning the NT alongside NSW, Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia in having at least some structured alternative to prosecution for minor possession.
The NT’s SCON scheme works similarly to an infringement notice: pay the fine and the matter ends without a criminal record. This guide explains exactly how it works, what quantities are covered, what happens if you don’t pay, cultivation and supply penalties, drug driving laws in Darwin and across the NT, and how to access cannabis legally through the medicinal pathway.
Legal disclaimer: This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Verify current rules with the NT Legal Aid Commission or a criminal lawyer.
Northern Territory cannabis laws at a glance
| NT rule (2026) | |
|---|---|
| SCON eligibility | Possession of small amounts (generally ≤50g) |
| SCON outcome | Infringement notice (fine) — pay it and no criminal record |
| Failure to pay SCON | Criminal prosecution for original offence |
| Cultivation (any amount) | Criminal offence |
| Supply (any amount) | Criminal offence — serious penalties |
| Drug driving | Zero-tolerance — any detectable THC is an offence |
| Medicinal cannabis | Legal with valid TGA prescription |
The Simple Cannabis Offence Notice (SCON) scheme
The NT introduced Simple Cannabis Offence Notices in 2011 under the Misuse of Drugs Act. The SCON scheme was modelled partly on South Australia’s Cannabis Expiation Notice system, providing an infringement-style pathway for minor cannabis possession.
How a SCON works:
When NT Police find an adult in possession of a small amount of cannabis — generally interpreted as 50 grams or less — an officer may issue a SCON rather than arresting and charging the person. The SCON is treated like a traffic infringement notice:
- It specifies the amount of the fine (typically in the range of $200–$500)
- It must be paid within the specified period (usually 28 days, with extensions possible)
- If paid on time: no criminal record results
- If not paid: the matter is referred for criminal prosecution for the original offence
SCON limits and conditions:
Unlike SA’s expiation scheme which specifies a clear 100g threshold, the NT’s SCON scheme provides police with discretion on the quantity. The 50g figure is a general guide — officers may issue a SCON for larger or smaller amounts depending on the circumstances. Police must be satisfied the cannabis is for personal use (not supply) and that the circumstances warrant the notice rather than prosecution.
What a SCON does not cover:
- Any indication of supply or commercial intent
- Cultivation of cannabis plants
- Supply or trafficking offences
- Repeat offenders where previous SCONs have been ignored or not paid
Possession penalties in the NT
Possession of cannabis in quantities or circumstances beyond SCON eligibility is a criminal offence under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
| Situation | Classification | Maximum penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Personal amount ≤50g | SCON may apply | Non-criminal if SCON paid |
| SCON unpaid / third or subsequent offence | Criminal possession | Fine and/or imprisonment |
| Trafficable quantities | Presumed supply | Serious criminal penalties |
| Commercial trafficking | Serious drug offence | Up to 25 years imprisonment |
Cultivation penalties in the NT
Growing cannabis is a criminal offence in the NT regardless of the number of plants. The SCON scheme applies only to possession — it does not cover cultivation. Even a single plant grown for personal use can result in criminal charges.
NT courts have broad discretion in sentencing for minor cultivation — a first-offender with a single plant may receive a fine rather than imprisonment — but there is no formal diversion or expiation pathway for home cultivation in the NT.
Cannabis in remote NT communities
The NT has a complex cannabis policy context driven partly by its large Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population and the significant cultural and health role that cannabis plays in some remote communities. Cannabis use in remote NT is widespread, and the enforcement approach in remote communities has historically been inconsistent.
The NT Government and community organisations have invested in harm reduction and drug education programs in remote areas. The North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA) provides legal support to Aboriginal people in the NT — including for drug offences — and is a key resource for those who need legal advice in the Territory’s remote regions.
The Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) system in the NT operates across Darwin, Katherine, Alice Springs and remote communities, providing culturally appropriate treatment and support services. For people whose cannabis use has become problematic, these services provide a non-judgmental pathway to support.
Drug driving laws in the Northern Territory
The NT enforces zero-tolerance roadside drug testing for THC under the Traffic Act 1987. Any detectable level of THC in oral fluid is a criminal offence — impairment does not need to be proven.
NT roadside drug testing:
NT Police conduct roadside drug testing operations across Darwin, Alice Springs and on major highways including the Stuart Highway and Arnhem Highway. Given the vast distances between population centres in the NT, highway drug testing operations are a significant presence for long-distance drivers.
NT RDT process:
- Driver provides oral fluid sample at the roadside
- Initial result within 5–10 minutes
- Positive initial result → secondary test and potential charge
- Confirmed positive → criminal drug driving charge
Penalties for drug driving in NT (first offence):
- Fine: typically $500–$1,500 (court-determined)
- Licence disqualification: typically 3–6 months minimum
- Criminal conviction recorded
NT-specific context — long driving distances:
The NT’s vast distances between towns mean many residents drive significant distances regularly. The combination of the zero-tolerance drug driving policy and THC’s detection window means that cannabis users who need to drive frequently face a genuine day-to-day dilemma. This is particularly acute in remote communities where driving is essential and alternatives are limited.
Medicinal cannabis patients in NT:
No exemption applies for medicinal cannabis patients in NT drug driving law. THC in oral fluid is an offence regardless of whether it was legally prescribed. Discuss driving timing and safety with your prescriber — the general guidance is at least 12 hours between any THC dose and driving, and potentially longer for regular users.
Medicinal cannabis in the Northern Territory
Darwin and the NT are served by the same national medicinal cannabis framework as the rest of Australia. TGA prescriptions under SAS-B can be issued by any registered Australian GP — no NT-specific approval is required.
Accessing medicinal cannabis in Darwin and the NT:
- Telehealth or in-person consultation with a medicinal cannabis-aware GP
- TGA SAS-B prescription issued
- Medication dispensed from a licensed pharmacy — home delivery available including to Darwin and NT regional centres
Patients in remote NT areas can access telehealth prescribing using phone or video, with products delivered by mail. This makes medicinal cannabis access possible even from remote locations where specialist care is limited.
Browse the full product range with NT delivery options or read our complete guide to getting a medicinal cannabis prescription.
Darwin vs Alice Springs — enforcement context
Cannabis enforcement in the NT varies significantly by location:
Darwin: Higher police presence and more regular RDT operations. The Darwin CBD and Palmerston suburbs see consistent enforcement. SCON scheme generally applied for minor personal possession.
Alice Springs: A complex context — Alice Springs has significant cannabis use alongside other substance issues, and enforcement can be intensive. Police operations in the town centre frequently encounter drug-related activity.
Remote communities: Enforcement is less consistent due to geographic constraints, though significant police resources are devoted to remote community patrols. Legal support via NAAJA is particularly important in this context.
Frequently asked questions — cannabis laws in the Northern Territory
Is cannabis legal in the Northern Territory? Medicinal cannabis is legal in the NT with a valid TGA prescription. Recreational cannabis is not legal — possession of any amount is either an infringement (SCON) for personal amounts or a criminal offence.
What is a Simple Cannabis Offence Notice (SCON) in the NT? A SCON is an infringement-style notice issued by police for possession of small amounts of cannabis (generally ≤50g). Paying the fine (typically $200–$500) within the specified period results in no criminal record. Failing to pay converts the matter to criminal prosecution.
How much cannabis can you have in Darwin without criminal charges? The SCON scheme generally applies to 50 grams or less — but the threshold is not fixed by law, it is at police discretion. Above 50g, or in circumstances suggesting supply, the SCON will not apply.
Can I grow cannabis in the NT? No. Cultivation of any cannabis plants is a criminal offence in the NT. The SCON scheme applies only to possession, not cultivation.
Is medicinal cannabis available in Alice Springs or remote NT? Yes. Telehealth prescribing (phone or video) is available from any NT location, and products are delivered by mail. This makes the medicinal pathway accessible from remote communities where in-person specialist services are not available.
Can I drive after using medicinal cannabis in the NT? Not if your prescription contains THC — zero-tolerance drug driving applies in the NT regardless of prescription status. Allow at least 12 hours after any THC-containing dose before driving. The long distances between NT communities make this particularly important to plan for.