The order arrived in Melbourne last week, ahead of the local product being made available from the middle of the year.

A limited amount of the cannabidiol oral solution, manufactured by Canadian company Tilray, will be available for nominated children with the most severe symptoms of intractable epilepsy.

A clinical panel chose the eligible children based on “strict criteria” set by an independent medical advisory committee on medicinal cannabis.

Premier Daniel Andrews said it was important step for the introduction of medicinal cannabis in Victoria.

“This is the first time in Victoria kids with severe epilepsy will be able to legally access medicinal cannabis.” he said.

The state government’s first crop of medicinal cannabis was harvested last month.

Last week, the federal government announced it would allow fast-tracked importation of cannabidiol while local suppliers were developed.

Twenty-five companies applied for licences to grow and manufacture medicinal cannabis in Australia.

Mia Mia woman Cheri O’Connell, whose children suffered upwards of 100 seizures per day, said the range of products legally available in Australia needed to be expanded beyond cannabidiol.

She said cannabidiol – one of the 113 active cannabinoids in cannabis – was only one of many products available overseas, and was not the answer for everybody.

Ms O’Connell said the government’s approach was inadequate – and they could instead rely on local producers.

“Until they offer the whole range of products that can genuinely help people, I don’t think we can take their announcements completely seriously,” she said.

“It can bring kids from 500 seizures a day down to 250. That’s a good outcome, but it’s nowhere near as good as it could be if the government allowed in more products. That figure could be zero.

“Why do they need to bring it in from overseas? We have at least half a dozen in Australia ready to go, all they need is the tick on their licences.”

Ms O’Connell’s daughter Tara has not suffered a seizure in four years, after suffering at least 100 per day prior to 2012.

Ms O’Connell said her family, along with many others in Victoria, would continue to campaign to have more products made available in Australia.

“I think it’ll take a politician to have a personal experience with a loved-one before we see any political changes,” she said.