Shaping Australia's Cannabis Industry
We're bringing together the leading voices in the Australian medicinal cannabis industry to improve patient access, safety and affordability.
Our Mission
Cannabis Council Australia has been established to improve policy, education, and innovation in the medicinal cannabis sector, with a focus on transparency and patient access. We will collaborate with government leaders and key stakeholders to drive industry growth, increase regulatory support and better integrate medicinal cannabis into the Australian health system.
We're working towards a future in which all medicinal cannabis patients have the access and support they need to harness this treatment option.
Medicinal cannabis: Australia’s fastest growing pharmaceutical class
Doctors currently prescribe medicinal cannabis for a wide variety of conditions including chronic pain, mental health, insomnia and over 130 more.
Patient demand for cannabis treatment is growing rapidly, with 50% of all prescriptions being issued in 2023 alone.
An increase in access to high-quality cannabis medicine is not only a positive for patients, but could reduce the burden on the Australian healthcare system.
Studies and surveys show that patients using medicinal cannabis consistently report improvements to quality of life, fewer side effects and better symptom management.
"We are working towards a future where medicinal cannabis is fully integrated in everyday medical practice, making it a readily accessible option for the millions who could benefit."
Why we've established Cannabis Council Australia
Medicinal cannabis patients face significant barriers to treatment
Social and medical acceptance of medicinal cannabis in Australia has increased and has now outpaced the legal and regulatory environment.
As a result, medicinal cannabis patients currently face a level of discrimination and access issues not associated with the prescription of other medications.
Stigma
Rules limiting the open discussion of medicinal cannabis lead to persistent stigma, low-quality operators and a lack of community awareness.
Medical education
More high-quality research is needed to boost doctor engagement and understanding – at present only 6% of doctors actively prescribe medicinal cannabis.
Access
Cannabis treatment is rarely covered by Medicare or the PBS, with onerous regulatory requirements leading to high patient costs.
Outdated laws
Medicinal cannabis patients can still lose their licence and jobs for taking their doctor-prescribed medication.
Advocating for industry and the patients they serve
By shifting the current perceptions and rules around medicinal cannabis, Cannabis Council Australia is working to grow the industry and improve the care of the hundreds of thousands of Australians who rely on these medicines to live better, healthier lives every day.