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Medicinal Cannabis in Australia: growth, challenges, and reforms
Australia’s medicinal cannabis sector at a crossroads as patient numbers surge and regulations lag, featuring insights from industry experts
Australia’s medicinal cannabis sector faces challenges as patient numbers rise; industry leaders call for regulatory reform and better education
In Short:
– Australia’s medicinal cannabis sector faces challenges as patient numbers grow and regulations lag behind.
– Experts stress the need for education, regulatory reform, and evidence-based practices to improve patient care.
In this episode of Cannabiz – In Conversation, host Ahron Young discusses the opportunities and challenges facing Australia’s rapidly evolving cannabis sector, balancing patient access with safety and accountability.
Australia’s medicinal cannabis industry is experiencing significant growth, with patient numbers rising rapidly in recent years. While the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) does not track exact usage data, around 1 million prescription approvals were issued in 2025, suggesting between 400,000 and 800,000 patients are now using medicinal cannabis. Oils remain the most commonly prescribed form, though gummies and dry herbs are becoming increasingly popular, particularly for patients managing chronic pain and anxiety.
Anecdotal evidence
Experts highlight both the potential benefits and risks of medicinal cannabis. Dr Priya Ayyar from Releaf Clinics notes anecdotal evidence of improved sleep and reduced reliance on traditional medications, but she also cautions that THC carries risks such as dependency and potential psychosis. Misconceptions about cannabis persist in the medical community due to gaps in training, underlining the importance of proper education for both doctors and patients.
Calls for regulatory reform are growing, aimed at enhancing transparency, patient safety, and care quality. Industry leaders—including Kristin Viccars from the Medicinal Cannabis Industry Australia (MCIA), Dr Orit Holtzman from Leura Wellness, Martin Lane from Cannabiz, and Dr Priya Ayyar—emphasise that better TGA data could form a national evidence database to track efficacy and inform policy.
