Kava: changes to national law

Recent changes to national law have opened avenues for kava to be reintroduced commercially in the Northern Territory (NT).

There are significant historical issues and risks associated around kava in the NT, which are widely known.

The NT Government is taking extreme care when it comes to opening these avenues to avoid potential harm previously associated with consuming kava.

What the NT Government is doing

The NT Government is working with the Australian Government on progressing matters. This includes practical options to effectively manage kava in the NT.

First steps are being taken around the design of a comprehensive and culturally-sensitive approach to gauge local attitudes to kava. This includes whether communities support introducing kava to their area.

These discussions are in their infancy. We expect there will be some time before a roadmap for the future may be in place.