Australia’s Office Of Drug Control (ODC) has issued infringement notices penalising a Tasmanian-based company for alleged breaches of its medicinal cannabis licence.
The ODC alleges Tasmanian Botanics failed to meet its obligations under the Narcotic Drugs Act 1967 by not following its approved standard operating procedure for waste disposal and maintaining its licensed premises consistent with approved site plans included in its licence.
In total, the infringement notices apply a penalty totalling $39,600.
According to comments reported by Cannabiz, Tasmanian Botanics chief executive Dan Howard said the fine related to outdated documentation resulting from a miscommunication, and said the firm had fully co-operated with the ODC.
The ODC regulates and monitors the cultivation, import, export and manufacture of controlled substances such as medical cannabis to comply with Australia’s obligations under International Drug Conventions.
The last time the ODC issued an infringement notice to a medical cannabis company was in July, when Queensland-based company Cannatrek Technologies Pty Ltd was fined for alleged breaches of its medicinal cannabis licence.
The ODC encourages non-compliance be reported to the agency.
“If you suspect non-compliance in relation to medicinal cannabis cultivation or manufacture, you can report illegal or questionable practices to the ODC via its online ODC Tip-off form.”
The ODC works with other government departments at a State, Territory and Federal level to exchange information and ensure that regulatory compliance risks are effectively managed. The agency has authorised inspectors with regulatory powers for monitoring, inspection and enforcement, including the ability to enter premises without consent or prior notice.
Consequences for non-compliance with relevant laws include not only financial penalties, directions and enforceable undertakings, but could also lead to civil or criminal proceedings being brought against those who fail to meet their requirements. In extreme cases, a conviction can be accompanied by a custodial sentence. The ODC can suspend a licence for up to 6 months, or revoke it altogether.
Tasmanian Botanics claims to be Australia’s largest cultivator.
“… we use our scale and vertically integrated operations to ensure consistent, natural products that meet real patient needs—without inflated costs or compromise,” states the firm.
The company was established in 2016, the same year medical cannabis became legal in Australia.
