New medical cannabis industry body to position Australia as world leader

A peak Australian industry body that aims to develop best practice and standards for producing, supplying and distributing medical cannabis products is being launched today.

The Medical Cannabis Council’s membership includes health experts, researchers, and medical cannabis producers and manufacturers.

The council will position Australia as a world leader in research and the production of safe, scientifically backed medical cannabis products. It will provide a unified voice for the industry to engage with government and the community.

Its launch coincides with a gathering in Melbourne of medical cannabis industry figures and health experts to mark Australia’s commitment to a robust and accessible local industry.

The launch comes during Medical Cannabis Awareness Week and coincides with Lucy Haslam’s United in Compassion Medical Cannabis Symposium.

Lucy’s son Dan, who sadly died of cancer in 2015, was one of Australia’s first prominent medical cannabis campaigners. Lucy continues Dan’s fight for patient access to medical cannabis and is a founding member of the Medical Cannabis Council.

Medical cannabis cultivation and production has been green-lighted in Australia, but the industry is still navigating regulations around cultivation licensing and patient access.

The council will be the unifying voice for the industry to engage with governments and the community on all matters concerning medical cannabis. Its board comprises industry leaders and medical experts who have long advocated for the regulated access to and use of medical cannabis products.

Carol Ireland, CEO of Epilepsy Action Australia and board member of the Medical Cannabis Council, says she is delighted to be involved in the council.

“Medical cannabis research continues, but the early indicators of our research is that medical cannabis treats areas of epilepsy that traditional medicine has hitherto been unable to have an effect [on],” she said. “The effect of treatment of severe childhood epilepsy in particular with medical cannabis has given many families hope.”

Adam Miller, founder of medical cannabis technology start-up BuddingTech, agrees and believes an industry body is essential for providing patients, doctors and the community with the right information and access to safe and proven products.

“The aim of the Medical Cannabis Council is to remove any confusion still surrounding the legal framework and accessibility of medical cannabis so the most at-need patients can understand their rights and the availability of the products,” Miller said.

Cardiologist and Medical Cannabis Council board member Dr Ross Walker has been a fierce proponent of medical cannabis use in recent years, after being shown the overwhelming evidence supporting its efficacy.

“It’s a wonder drug,” Dr Walker said. “There are recent studies showing the effectiveness of low-THC and -CBD products in patients with schizophrenia and also anxiety. Access to regulated products for patients, as well as commencement of clinical trials and research, is essential for the industry.”

Professor Mark Cook, head of neurology at Melbourne’s St Vincent’s Hospital, has also joined the board of the council. Professor Cook has been supporting clinical trials in the efficacy of medical cannabis in the treatment of epilepsy.

Ben Oakley, one of 20 people in Australia to suffer from the incredibly rare disease stiff person syndrome, has been using medical cannabis illegally for over two years. It is the only treatment for the disease that works, and relieves body spasms which were making his quality of life negligible. Ben and his father Michael hope for the day when his use of medical cannabis is completely legal and he does not have difficulty of access.

The launch of the council signifies the regulation and coherence of the industry, with more than 20 known applications for medical cannabis as well as 12 companies already listed on the ASX. The global industry is predicted to be worth $50 billion in 2025.

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