A group representing 80% of Australia's medicinal cannabis growers is urging the federal government to support local producers, warning that an overreliance on lower-quality imports is not only pushing domestic farmers out of the market but also risks "catastrophic failures" in the industry.

The guild said Australian producers were disadvantaged by costly and time-consuming licensing requirements, which make it difficult to compete with cheaper international imports. As a result, local farmers claim they are being priced out of a market dominated by overseas suppliers.

Some domestic businesses have even begun outsourcing parts of their operations overseas in an attempt to stay competitive -- a move they say is only adding to their costs, ABC reported.

In 2023, 61% of Australia's medicinal cannabis supply was imported,........

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