SYDNEY – Australia is to become the fourth country in the world to allow exports of cannabis-based therapies. The federal government hopes the reforms will help Australia become a world leader in the medicinal cannabis market.Laws to allow exports of Australian cannabis-based therapies will come into force in February, according to the federal health minister. 

It will allow Australian produced oils, lozenges, sprays and pills to be sold overseas for the first time. Advocates have argued the plant-based treatments can relieve severe pain associated with many medical conditions, including multiple sclerosis, and to reduce the impact of cancer therapies.

Potential export markets include South America, Spain, Canada and Germany.

Australian federal health minister Greg Hunt said allowing exports will help the developing domestic market to expand.

“We have a world class reputation for our clean and green farm products. Put them all together and we are brilliantly placed to be a world leader in medical development and medical cannabis,” he said

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