Australian veterans who rely on medicinal cannabis to manage service-related conditions are now facing unnecessary and harmful barriers to treatment. While DVA confirm that funding and access to medical services will improve, the reality is far from it.
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs has introduced new rules requiring mandatory in-person consultations for medicinal cannabis prescribing and ongoing management. This removes telehealth as an option, forcing veterans to attend face-to-face appointments regardless of their circumstances. Providers and patients will be forced to adapt to these changes by August 2026.
For many veterans, telehealth has been essential. It has enabled access to specialist care without travel, reduced physical strain, and provided consistent treatment regardless of location.
These new requirements will have serious consequences. All veterans will have issues finding doctors qualified under the new requirements to prescribe and manage their chronic pain. Forcing them to return to treatment methodologies that were using before that were not working.
On top of this veterans living in regional and remote areas may now be forced to travel hours to access qualified prescribers. Those managing chronic pain, mobility limitations, PTSD, anxiety, and other service-related conditions will face increased physical and emotional burden. Many will incur additional travel expenses, accommodation costs, and time away from family or work.
This change disproportionately impacts every veteran trying to manage their chronic pain with alternative therapies.
Telehealth has proven to be safe, effective, and reliable. It has been successfully used across Australia’s healthcare system and expanded significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Modern healthcare embraces telehealth as a standard delivery method, particularly for ongoing management of stable patients.
Removing telehealth access for veterans represents a massive step backwards and the prevention of access to alternative methods of pain management.
Veterans have already established therapeutic relationships with their providers. Disrupting this continuity of care risks worsening health outcomes, increasing stress, and reducing access to effective treatment.
This is not about convenience. It is about equitable access to healthcare.
Veterans who served Australia deserve healthcare that is accessible, modern, and responsive to their needs.
We respectfully call on the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to:
Reinstate telehealth as an approved option for medicinal cannabis prescribing and ongoing management for stable patients
Allow hybrid care models combining initial in-person consultation with telehealth follow-up
Ensure veterans in rural, regional, and remote areas are not disadvantaged
Protect continuity of care between veterans and their existing providers
Consult directly with veterans and healthcare providers before implementing restrictive access policies
Telehealth removes barriers. It improves access. It supports veterans’ wellbeing.
Veterans should not lose access to effective treatment because of outdated policy.
By signing this petition, you are helping ensure that Australian veterans retain fair, safe, and accessible healthcare.
Why This Petition Matters
Many veterans rely on medicinal cannabis to manage:
Chronic pain
PTSD and mental health conditions
Sleep disorders
Service-related injuries
Telehealth has enabled them to access care safely and consistently. Removing this option creates avoidable hardship and risks worsening health outcomes.
Sign this petition to urge the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to restore telehealth access for medicinal cannabis treatment.
Every signature helps protect healthcare access for those who served Australia.