Three Regulated Markets. One Standard.

Australia, Canada and Thailand represent three of the world's most significant regulated medicinal cannabis jurisdictions. Green Leaf Global holds the licences, relationships and supply infrastructure to operate compliantly in all three.

TGA + ODC — Australia Health Canada — Canada Thailand FDA — Thailand
Market Overview

Why These Three Markets — and Why Now

Not every regulated jurisdiction offers the same opportunity for compliant, scalable supply. Australia, Canada and Thailand have each built structured patient access frameworks with robust licensing regimes, defined import and export pathways, and — critically — functioning wholesale and distribution infrastructure. For authorised suppliers, these markets offer something rare: a clear line between regulatory compliance and commercial operation.

Regulatory Maturity and Patient Access

Australia operates one of the most demanding regulatory frameworks globally. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and Office of Drug Control (ODC) together govern every stage of the supply chain — from overseas GMP manufacture through to wholesale distribution and clinical dispensing. Schedule 8 classification under the Poisons Standard means each product batch is tracked, tested and reconciled. For producers seeking a credible export destination, Australian approval carries genuine weight.

Canada's Cannabis Act 2018 established a comprehensive federal licensing scheme administered by Health Canada. Canadian licensed producers (LPs) operate under a tiered system covering cultivation, processing and sales — with export provisions that align with international treaty obligations. The maturity of Canada's domestic market has generated a sophisticated understanding of product quality and traceability standards that translates directly to our import requirements in Australia.

Thailand represents the emerging opportunity. Following a series of regulatory reforms from 2022 onwards, Thailand's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has created defined pathways for medicinal cannabis import, manufacture and distribution. The market remains smaller than Australia or Canada, but patient access programmes are expanding and the regulatory architecture is consolidating quickly. Establishing presence now, with the right local partnerships, positions GLG well ahead of the broader competitive field.

Supply Chain Resilience Across Borders

Operating across three jurisdictions is not simply a growth strategy — it is a risk management position. Single-market supply chains are exposed to individual regulatory shifts, product shortages and seasonal production constraints. GLG's multi-market footprint means that when one supply corridor faces disruption, alternative sources and routes are already licenced, vetted and operational. For wholesale customers in Australia, this translates directly to improved product availability and a more consistent supply schedule.

Our import operations maintain active relationships with GMP-certified producers in multiple jurisdictions. Each relationship is built within the applicable regulatory framework, with batch testing, chain-of-custody documentation and ODC permit compliance embedded at every stage. No shortcuts, regardless of which market the product originates from.

For Overseas Producers — the Right Entry Point

Australia is an attractive but technically demanding export destination. The ODC import permit requirement, TGA registration or Therapeutic Goods Order compliance, GMP certification and NSW Wholesale Poisons Licence obligations together create a barrier that favours producers with strong regulatory track records. GLG acts as the authorised importer and wholesaler — meaning international producers can access the Australian market without needing to navigate the full local licensing stack themselves. We hold the permits, manage the compliance obligations, and provide the distribution infrastructure. Producers bring the product quality and the documentation to match.

For producers looking to enter the Canadian market, our established supply relationships and familiarity with Health Canada's import and export framework provide a useful foundation for structured introductions and commercial arrangements.

The Single Standard — Regardless of Jurisdiction

GLG applies one quality and compliance standard across all three markets. GMP-sourced product only. Full batch documentation. NATA-equivalent laboratory testing. Complete chain-of-custody records from site of manufacture to point of delivery. The applicable local regulatory requirements set the floor — our internal standard sets the ceiling. Whether a consignment is cleared through Sydney, Toronto or Bangkok, it meets the same documentary and quality requirements we apply to every shipment.

This approach protects our licence holders, protects our partners, and — most importantly — protects the integrity of the supply chain that authorised healthcare providers and their patients depend on. Our compliance framework documentation is available to verified partners on request.

3
Regulated Markets
TGA + ODC
Australian Framework
Cannabis Act
Canadian Framework
Thailand FDA
Thai Framework
Three Jurisdictions

Active in Every Market We Operate

In-market licences, established supply networks and regulatory expertise — not aspirations.

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Market

Australia

Australia's medicinal cannabis framework is administered by the TGA and ODC under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 and the Narcotic Drugs Act 1967. Import of Schedule 8 medicinal cannabis requires an ODC import permit for each consignment, tied to a specific product, quantity and licensed supplier. Wholesale distribution within Australia requires a state-level Wholesale Poisons Licence — in NSW, this is issued by the Ministry of Health and covers both Schedule 4 and Schedule 8 controlled substances.

Green Leaf Global holds an active NSW Wholesale Poisons Licence (Sch 4 and Sch 8) and operates under current ODC import permits. All products entering the Australian market through GLG are GMP-certified, batch-tested to NATA-equivalent standards, and cleared through customs under full permit documentation. Our supply chain is built around the ODC import cycle — permit application, customs clearance, delivery to licenced premises, and NSW Ministry notification where required.

TGA Act 1989 ODC Licensed NSW Sch. 8 Import Permitted GMP Verified
→ Full Australia detail
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Market

Canada

Canada's Cannabis Act 2018 established a comprehensive federal licensing regime administered by Health Canada. Licensed producers (LPs) operate under a tiered system that governs cultivation, processing, packaging and sale. Export from Canada requires a Health Canada export permit, with each consignment verified against international treaty obligations under the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961. Canada is currently one of the primary source jurisdictions for regulated medicinal cannabis products entering Australia under ODC permits.

GLG maintains active supply relationships with Canadian licensed producers. These relationships are built on documented quality agreements, batch-level COA review, and a shared understanding of the documentation requirements imposed at the Australian import end. Canadian LP product entering the Australian market through GLG meets TGA and ODC requirements in full — including GMP certification, cannabinoid profiling against permit specifications, and batch traceability from harvest through to dispensing.

Cannabis Act 2018 Health Canada LP Relationships Export Permitted Batch Verified
→ Full Canada detail
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Market

Thailand

Thailand's regulatory framework for medicinal cannabis has developed rapidly since 2022. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the Ministry of Public Health administers licences for cultivation, production, import and export. Government-licensed entities — including the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) — operate within a framework that is still consolidating, but which provides defined pathways for import and export of medicinal cannabis products to and from treaty-compliant jurisdictions.

GLG has established active local partnerships in Thailand, positioning the company ahead of the broader competitive field in what remains an emerging but fast-developing regulated market. Our engagement in Thailand focuses on supply relationships with properly licenced local entities, export opportunities for Australian and Canadian product, and monitoring the regulatory trajectory as Thailand's framework matures. Early engagement with licenced Thai counterparties has given GLG practical insight into the import and quality documentation requirements that apply in-market.

Thailand FDA MoPH Framework Local Partnerships Emerging Market Export Ready
→ Full Thailand detail
Regulatory Comparison

How Each Market Regulates Supply

Key regulatory dimensions across Australia, Canada and Thailand — relevant for producers, distributors and healthcare providers operating or seeking to operate across multiple jurisdictions.

Dimension 🇦🇺 Australia 🇨🇦 Canada 🇹🇭 Thailand
Primary Regulator TGA (product regulation) + ODC (controlled drug licensing) Health Canada — Cannabis Directorate Thailand Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Ministry of Public Health
Import Framework ODC import permit required per consignment — product, quantity and supplier specific. 20–30 business day processing. Customs clearance requires permit copy. Imports require Health Canada import permit. Source country must hold corresponding export authority. Single Convention treaty compliance required. FDA import licence required. Importer must be a licenced entity (government hospital, licensed company or GPO affiliate). Documentation requirements are evolving.
Wholesale Licensing State-level Wholesale Poisons Licence — in NSW issued by Ministry of Health. Sch 4 and Sch 8 endorsements required for cannabis products. Annual renewal. Standard processing or sale licence under Cannabis Regulations. B2B supply permitted between licensed parties. Provincial distribution frameworks vary. Wholesale distribution requires Ministry of Public Health approval. Currently channelled primarily through government-licenced entities and designated distribution networks.
Scheduling / Classification Schedule 8 (drug of addiction) under the Poisons Standard. SAS-B or Authorised Prescriber pathway for clinical dispensing. TGA registration or TGO compliance. Federally regulated under Cannabis Act 2018. Medical access via cannabis medical document from authorised healthcare provider. No separate scheduling system — controlled under the Act. Classified as a narcotic under the Narcotics Act B.E. 2522 (1979), with specific cannabis provisions added under subsequent amendment. Medical use carved out under regulatory instrument.
Key Legislation Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 · Narcotic Drugs Act 1967 · NSW Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 1966 · Therapeutic Goods Regulations 2002 Cannabis Act 2018 (S.C. 2018, c. 16) · Cannabis Regulations (SOR/2018-144) · Narcotic Control Regulations · Food and Drugs Act (where applicable) Narcotics Act B.E. 2522 (1979, as amended) · Public Health Act · Food and Drug Act (Thailand) · Ministerial Notifications, Ministry of Public Health
Product Quality Standard GMP manufacture required (TGA-recognised). NATA or equivalent lab accreditation for COA. Cannabinoid profile, THC limits and batch numbers must match permit exactly. Good Production Practices (GPP) under Cannabis Regulations. Licensed producers subject to Health Canada inspection. COA and pesticide testing mandatory. GMP or equivalent required for import. Thailand FDA requires documentation from country of origin confirming manufacture standards. Requirements continue to develop.
Common Questions

Multi-Market Operations — FAQs

Practical questions from producers, distributors and healthcare providers about how GLG operates across multiple jurisdictions.

Can a single ODC import permit cover shipments from multiple source countries?

No. ODC import permits are product and consignment specific. Each permit identifies the specific product, the licensed overseas supplier, the quantity and the intended Australian destination. If GLG is importing from both a Canadian and a European producer in the same period, separate ODC import permits are required for each. This is by design — the permit system is the primary instrument by which the ODC tracks the movement of Schedule 8 controlled substances into Australia. GLG manages concurrent permit applications where required and maintains the internal scheduling to keep permit processing aligned with expected shipment timelines.

How does operating in Canada improve supply options for Australian wholesale customers?

Canada has one of the world's most developed and commercially mature medicinal cannabis production sectors. Canadian licensed producers operate at scale, under Health Canada's Good Production Practices framework, and routinely produce products that meet TGA and ODC documentary requirements for the Australian market. GLG's established relationships with Canadian LPs mean we have access to a broader and more consistent product range than a single-source importer. When a particular strain, format or concentration is constrained in one supply corridor, our Canadian relationships often provide an alternative path. This directly improves availability for wholesale customers.

Why is Thailand relevant if it is still an emerging market?

The window to establish meaningful regulatory and commercial positioning in an emerging market is finite. Thailand's framework is developing quickly — the infrastructure decisions, the licensing relationships, and the supply partnerships being formed now will shape the structure of the market for years. GLG's early engagement in Thailand is a deliberate strategic position, not a speculative one. We are not operating in Thailand without regulatory grounding — our local partnerships are with properly licenced entities operating within the current FDA framework. The objective is to be a well-established, compliant participant when the market scales, rather than a late entrant seeking to catch up.

What documentation does an overseas producer need to supply product to the Australian market through GLG?

The core documentary requirements are: a current GMP certificate recognised by the TGA (or equivalent under TGA's mutual recognition framework); a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis from an accredited laboratory covering cannabinoid profile, residual solvents, pesticide residues, heavy metals and microbiological testing; a product dossier sufficient for TGA registration or Therapeutic Goods Order compliance; and the export licence or equivalent authority issued by the producer's home regulatory body. GLG works with producers to assess documentation well in advance of permit application — gaps identified early are manageable. Gaps identified at the point of shipment are not. Our compliance team conducts a full document review before any ODC permit application is lodged.

Is the same quality standard applied to product regardless of which market it originates from?

Yes, without exception. GLG applies a single minimum quality standard to all product entering its supply chain, regardless of the country of manufacture or the destination market. GMP manufacture is required in all cases. Batch-level COA review against permit specifications is required for every consignment. Chain-of-custody documentation from manufacturing site to delivery point is required for all markets. The applicable local regulatory framework sets the floor — GLG's internal quality standard sets a consistent ceiling above that floor. Producers who cannot meet the documentary requirements for the Australian market will not supply into GLG's supply chain for any market.

How does GLG manage regulatory change across three jurisdictions simultaneously?

GLG maintains an active compliance monitoring function across all three markets. For Australia, this means tracking TGA and ODC regulatory updates, permit renewal schedules, and NSW Ministry of Health licence obligations. For Canada, it means monitoring Health Canada regulatory notices and any amendments to the Cannabis Regulations relevant to import and export. For Thailand, it means maintaining direct engagement with local licenced partners who have visibility of FDA regulatory developments in-market. Significant regulatory changes in any jurisdiction are assessed for impact on existing permits, supply agreements and planned shipments. Where changes require documentary or procedural adjustments, these are addressed before the effective date of the change, not after. We do not wait for a compliance gap to become a compliance incident.

Work With Us

Ready to Operate in a Regulated Market?

Whether you are a GMP producer seeking export pathways, an Australian healthcare provider looking for reliable wholesale supply, or an international distributor exploring compliant market entry — talk to GLG.

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