Dear supporters, this month the Minister for Health, Mark Butler, refused to commit funding for a three-year pilot program of the Compassionate Access Scheme, Compass. This scheme would have allowed us, as a NFP to centralise industry donations to help some Australian patients who are least able to afford medicinal cannabis, to access it. The patients that would benefit from such a scheme include patients who are dying and children with intractable epilepsy.
It was a great opportunity for the Government to do something meaningful, with minimal effort and funding from their perspective.
Minister Butler supported this recommendation of the Senate inquiry into the Barriers to patient access back in 2020, but now that he is in a position to actually do something, he has done an about face.
While that is a major setback, thanks to your support, we have full support of the Parliamentary Friends of Medicinal Cannabis Group (PFMCG) which is made up of about 30 MPs and Senators - and counting!
We are also busily preparing for the 2023 Australian Medicinal Cannabis Symposium. I am excited to invite you all to attend the biggest yet symposium to be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from the 11-13 August 2023. Register now - early bird tickets sale end coming Friday!
Our theme for the event is “Harnessing Knowledge, Building Momentum.” Nothing about the reintroduction of Medicinal Cannabis into Australia has been easy but finally, there is momentum and that to me means a stronger industry, progress in research, improved health care professional awareness, decreasing stigma and importantly, better patient access.
We expect over 600 delegates, up to 70 exhibitors over three days, a two-day Industry program, a one-day Nursing Program, two-day Research and Medical Program, Pharmacists and HCP programs and two exciting networking events, including a welcome function and a gala dinner/dance. Click here to register!
2023 will see us dive deep into this rapidly progressing sector, with input from experts from around the globe and across Australia.
We will continue to push for funding for the Compassionate Access Scheme and ensure the federal government takes responsibility for ensuring simple and easy access to medicinal cannabis.