Australian and New Zealand College of Cannabinoid Practitioners (ANZCCP) president Dr Adele Hosseini reflects on the body's second annual conference and what it means for the future of medicinal cannabis.
The ANZCCP Conference 2025, held on the Gold Coast last weekend, captured the growing sophistication and forward momentum now defining cannabinoid medicine across Australia and New Zealand.
As president, I came away proud of the level of expertise, scientific rigour, and collective purpose on display throughout the three days.
This year's theme, Innovation in cannabinoid medicine: from bench research to clinical mastery, signals a shift away from early advocacy toward responsible integration. Ethical prescribing, clinician education, and the embedding of medicinal cannabis within patient-centred models of care are now the priorities.
Elevating ethical, evidence-based practice
One of the conference's defining moments was the release of ANZCCP's draft prescribing guidance. Developed by the board and expert working groups, the document gives clinicians a practical, ethical framework for safe prescribing — covering patient selection, informed consent, clinical monitoring, and ongoing review — and positions medicinal cannabis squarely within the scope of mainstream medicine.
Accessibility was another thread running through the ethics discussions. As with all medicines, cannabinoid therapies must be available equitably, not confined to a privileged few.
Meeting needs where options are limited
A number of sessions examined emerging clinical applications for patients who have exhausted or been failed by existing treatments. Associate Professor Mike Armour presented data on gynaecological pain — particularly endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain — that makes a strong case for cannabis-based interventions where conventional approaches frequently come up short.
Associate Professor Daryl Efron also offered valuable findings on the potential for cannabinoids to support children living with autism spectrum disorder and related neurodevelopmental conditions.
Dr Mark Hardy, Dr Dev Banerjee, Dr Bryce Joynson and Professor Peter Gonski each contributed clinical perspectives on managing dependence risk, sleep disorders, ADHD and geriatric care.
These are areas of genuine patient need. Medicinal cannabis is opening therapeutic pathways in complex, chronic conditions that have long left patients without adequate options or trapped in cycles of insufficient care.
Supporting prescribers and the broader care team
Many clinicians still hesitate to prescribe due to regulatory complexity and gaps in training. ANZCCP continues to address this through education, including clinical workshops where experienced prescribers such as Dr Jim Connell and Dr Imran Khan share practical tools for incorporating cannabis into everyday clinical settings.
Prescribing in isolation is not sustainable, which is why the conference deliberately engaged nurses, pharmacists, and allied health professionals throughout. Safe, long-term cannabinoid prescribing depends on a coordinated, multidisciplinary 'village of care'.
Industry's role in quality and research
The message from an industry standpoint was unambiguous: consistent, pharmaceutical-grade products that are both high quality and affordable are non-negotiable. Patients must be able to trust what they are prescribed.
Industry partners were also urged to keep investing in independent research and clinician education. Commercial goals must be aligned with scientific integrity. A credible evidence base built on transparent, collaborative research is what the future of cannabinoid medicine rests on.
Looking ahead
The ANZCCP Conference 2025 confirmed that cannabinoid medicine has entered a new era — one demanding leadership, responsibility, and a united front. Bringing more clinicians in through education and mentorship, and ensuring that cannabinoid therapies sit within holistic care that honours the patient–doctor relationship, are the tasks ahead.
As president of ANZCCP, I am both proud and humbled by the commitment of our board, members, and the wider community of clinicians, researchers, educators and industry partners to advancing cannabinoid medicine.
