Cannabis Conferences and Events in Australia

Australia's medicinal cannabis market is valued at over AUD$700 million at the patient level. Since federal legalization of medicinal cannabis in 2016, the country has seen over 200,000 prescription approvals expected by the end of 2025, a 27% increase year over year.

Recreational use remains federally illegal, though the Australian Capital Territory has decriminalized personal possession. The medical-first approach means the industry is regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and the Office of Drug Control (ODC), with a focus on pharmaceutical-grade products.

This guide covers major cannabis events in Australia from November 2025 through June 2026.

Events at a Glance: November 2025 – June 2026

Event Name	Dates	Location	Type	Website
UIC Australian Medicinal Cannabis Symposium 2026	February 26–28, 2026	Brisbane, QLD	Medical Conference & Symposium	uicsymposium.org
Nimbin MardiGrass 2026	May 1–3, 2026	Nimbin, NSW	Cultural Festival & Advocacy Rally	nimbinmardigrass.com
ANZCCP Conference 2026	TBD (Likely May 2026)	TBD	Medical Practitioners Conference	anzccp.org
Hemp Health & Innovation Expo	TBD 2026	Sydney, NSW	Hemp & CBD Expo	hhiexpo.com.au
Various Pharmacy & Pharmacology Conferences	Throughout 2026	Sydney, Melbourne (Various)	Academic/Scientific Conferences	Check ConferenceIndex.org

Australia's event calendar is smaller than North America's, reflecting the sector's medical focus. Several 2026 dates (particularly ANZCCP and HHI Expo) have not been officially announced. Always verify dates and details on official event websites before making travel plans.

Event Details

UIC Australian Medicinal Cannabis Symposium 2026

• February 26–28, 2026
• Royal International Convention Centre (Royal ICC), Brisbane, Queensland
• Co-presented by United in Compassion (UIC) and the Australian Medicinal Cannabis Association (AMCA). Australia's premier medicinal cannabis clinical conference, featuring peer-reviewed presentations, keynote addresses from leading cannabis medicine experts, poster sessions, prescribing workshops, and CPD credits.
• Best for: Medical practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, allied health professionals, researchers, patient advocates, and policy makers.
• uicsymposium.org | ausmca.org

Nimbin MardiGrass 2026

• May 1–3, 2026 (First weekend in May)
• Nimbin village, Northern New South Wales (near Lismore)
• Australia's longest-running cannabis protest rally and cultural celebration, running since 1993. Three days of activism and community, including the Sunday protest rally with the traditional "Big Joint" and Ganja Faeries, Hemp Olympix competitions (joint rolling, bong throw, yell, Growers Iron-person), Nimbin Cannabis Cup, Harvest Ball, live music, market stalls, and educational workshops. Camping available at Nimbin Showgrounds.
• Book accommodation in Nimbin, Lismore, Byron Bay, or Ballina well in advance. Cannabis remains illegal in NSW outside medical prescriptions, and police presence is significant.
• nimbinmardigrass.com | Email: nimbinmardigrass@hempembassy.net | Phone: (02) 6689 1842

ANZCCP Conference 2026

• Dates TBA (2025 conference was May 2–4; expect similar timing)
• Location TBA (2025: InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort, Gold Coast, QLD)
• The Australian and New Zealand College of Cannabinoid Practitioners (ANZCCP) Conference for medical practitioners specializing in cannabinoid medicine. Pre-conference workshops for doctors, nurses, and pharmacists; advanced clinical case studies; cannabinoid pharmacology research; and guidance on establishing cannabis-focused practices.
• Best for: AHPRA-registered doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists prescribing or dispensing medicinal cannabis. ANZCCP membership provides discounted registration plus year-round benefits including monthly Grand Rounds.
• anzccp.org/conference

Hemp Health & Innovation Expo (HHI Expo)

• Dates TBA for 2026
• Sydney Olympic Park, Sydney, NSW (historical venue)
• Australia's largest cannabis and hemp expo, covering industrial hemp applications, medicinal cannabis, CBD wellness products, and sustainable hemp solutions. Workshops, speaker presentations, interactive displays, and market stalls covering hemp textiles, foods, beverages, beauty products, building materials, and cultivation equipment. Family-friendly atmosphere.
• hhiexpo.com.au | Instagram: @hhiexpo

ACannabis 2026

• August 2026 (Specific dates TBD; 2025 conference was August 11–13)
• Melbourne, Victoria (Historical venue: Crown Promenade/CENTREPIECE)
• Hosted by Medicinal Cannabis Industry Australia (MCIA). Australia's premier industry trade conference and exhibition, now in its sixth year. Three days covering cultivation innovation, manufacturing, product development, regulatory updates, market access, export opportunities, and research. Exhibition floor showcases cultivation technology, extraction equipment, testing services, and compliance solutions.
• Best for: Licensed cultivators, manufacturers, technology providers, investors, healthcare professionals, researchers, exporters, and ancillary service providers.
• acannabis.com.au | mcia.org.au

Industry Background

Regulatory Framework

Australia uses a dual regulatory system. The TGA and ODC share oversight of medicinal cannabis, which has been legal across all states and territories since 2016. Patients access it through the Special Access Scheme (SAS) or the Authorised Prescriber (AP) scheme. The SAS Category B pathway is the most common route, with over 113,000 applications approved in the first half of 2025 alone.

Two cannabis products hold full ARTG registration: Epidyolex (cannabidiol) for certain epilepsy conditions and Sativex (nabiximols) for multiple sclerosis spasticity. Over 450 unregistered medicinal cannabis products are available through SAS pathways.

Market Growth

Market valuations range from AUD$500–700 million at the patient level, with projected annual growth rates of 20–33% through 2030. Cannabis flower has overtaken oil-based products as the most prescribed form, with roughly 71% of patients preferring inhalation. Telehealth platforms like Alternaleaf, Polln, and CanView have improved access, especially in regional areas.

Supply

Australia relies heavily on imports, primarily from Canada (over 42,000 kg in 2023). Domestic cultivation produced approximately 26,593 kg in the same period. Australian producers emphasize GMP-certified, pharmaceutical-grade cultivation as a competitive advantage. Key domestic companies include Cann Group, Little Green Pharma, ECS Botanics, Zelira Therapeutics, and Althea Group.

Industrial Hemp

Australia maintains a growing industrial hemp sector for food, fiber, building materials, and wellness products. The reclassification of low-dose CBD (up to 150mg/day) as a Schedule 3 substance opens potential over-the-counter availability, though no OTC cannabis products have received TGA approval yet.

Recreational Cannabis

The ACT has decriminalized possession of up to 50 grams dried (or 150 grams fresh) and allows adults to grow up to two plants per person (four per household). Advocacy for broader reform continues through the Legalise Cannabis Party, Nimbin Hemp Embassy, and various patient groups.

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