We want to acknowledge and thank Senator David Shoebridge (Greens, NSW) and Senator David Ettershank (Legalise Cannabis Australia, VIC) for speaking out publicly against DVA’s recent changes to the medicinal cannabis prescribing framework for veterans.

Watch the full video here: 

https://vimeo.com/1177522436/8752e09acd?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci

Both Senators have raised serious concerns about the way these changes were introduced - with little to no notice, no meaningful consultation with veterans, clinicians, or specialist clinics - and are calling for the changes to be reversed immediately.

Senator Shoebridge and Senator Ettershank understand what’s at stake here. These aren’t abstract policy tweaks. These are real veterans who depend on medicinal cannabis as part of their treatment - many of whom have already tried and failed on other medications. Stripping telehealth access and imposing blanket restrictions doesn’t just create inconvenience. For some veterans, it creates a crisis.

We’re grateful that there are voices in the Senate willing to hold DVA accountable and demand better. Veterans deserve a framework built with them, not imposed on them.

To DVA: it’s not too late to do the right thing. Reverse these changes, come to the table, and consult properly with the people this policy actually affects - veterans, carers, and the clinicians who treat them.