The regulatory landscape surrounding medicinal cannabis in Australia is evolving rapidly, with significant implications for healthcare professionals, legal practitioners, and insurers alike. Staying informed is essential to ensure compliance with new standards and to support safe, ethical prescribing practices.

In this episode of The Checkup, BN’s Lee Lenkinski and Joshua Scott revisit the topic of medicinal cannabis in light of new guidelines from the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) released in July 2025. They explore the regulatory changes since their previous episode, the rationale behind them, and what these developments mean for clinicians and the broader health sector.

Together, they unpack the key obligations now expected of prescribers, including comprehensive patient assessments, evidence-based prescribing, and the importance of informed consent, particularly when dealing with unapproved products. They also highlight the risks of poor practice, the parallels with opioid prescribing, and the Australian Medical Association’s support for tighter regulation through the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s (TGA) current consultation process.

Key questions considered in this episode include:

This episode offers practical guidance for healthcare professionals navigating the complexities of medicinal cannabis prescribing, helping them align with current regulatory expectations and uphold their duty of care.

This episode of The Checkup was edited by Audio Advantage.

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