Medicinal cannabis oil is now available to buy from Australian pharmacies without the need for a prescription, after the nation’s medicine regulator eased restrictions.

Monday marked the first day that patients no longer required a referral, special approval, or a prescription to access low-dose cannabidiol (CBD), a derivative of marijuana.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration green-lighted the change in December, and authorities have pointed out the legal oil is non-psychotropic and will not give users a ‘high’.

The oil is available to adults only and should not be used by pregnant women, the TGA warned in its approval.

Adults can purchase a daily maximum dose of 150mg over the counter, with products limited to a maximum of 1 per cent THC.

Medicinal cannabis expert Ben Jansen welcomed the easier availability of cannabidiol, which he said has a range of applications.

Read more at the Daily Mail.