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.

In this episode of Beyond Education, presented by Enquiry Tracker, we delve into the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on education. Co-hosted by Ahron Young and Enquiry Tracker CEO Antony Campitelli, the discussion features insights from Professor Robert Tai of the Australian Catholic University.

AI is increasingly recognised as both a revolutionary force and a practical tool in learning. Professor Tai highlights that, when applied thoughtfully, AI can enhance educational experiences and accelerate student progress. At Inquiry Tracker, AI is utilised for research and as coding agents, helping to improve efficiency and streamline tasks.

Historical fears

Despite these benefits, educators have expressed concerns about students over-relying on AI tools such as ChatGPT and Gemini for tasks like writing papers, potentially limiting authentic learning. Professor Tai points out that such anxieties echo historical fears surrounding the introduction of new technologies. He notes that AI can, in fact, foster critical thinking, as users must craft precise prompts to achieve desired results. For example, one student required 26 iterations to complete a paper using AI.

However, AI has its limitations. It primarily remixes existing information and cannot generate entirely novel concepts. The rapid advancements in AI since late 2022 have prompted educators to rethink their teaching strategies. Integrating AI for tasks such as summarising allows students to engage more deeply with material while freeing up time for critical analysis and creative thinking.

In this episode of The Connector, host Belinda Coates sits down with Sally Capp, former Lord Mayor of Melbourne, to discuss what makes a city truly livable and the leadership required to sustain it. Capp shares insights from her tenure on balancing urban growth, infrastructure, and social wellbeing while keeping Melbourne consistently ranked among the world’s top cities.

Melbourne’s livability has been shaped by healthcare, education, culture, environment, and stability, often placing it alongside Vienna and Copenhagen in global rankings. Capp highlights that local perspectives are just as important as international recognition, especially as the city’s CBD population has surged from around 800 in the mid-1980s to roughly 60,000 today.

Capp also explores lessons from international cities like Singapore and London, from creating public spaces in private developments to promoting a 24-hour economy and higher residential density near transport hubs. She looks ahead to the upcoming World Cities Summit in Singapore, emphasising that effective leadership involves balancing the needs of diverse stakeholders in urban planning.