Cannabis Council Australia has described its inaugural meeting with Rapid Regulatory Response Unit (RRRU) head Jason McHeyzer as "constructive and engaging", calling on the regulator to place prescriber education ahead of punitive action.
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) established the RRRU earlier this year to address unethical business conduct and prescribing practices across the sector.
Cannabis Council Australia said the initial meeting "set the stage for ongoing collaboration between the regulatory body and key industry stakeholders".
Industry and government engagement lead Matthew McCrone emphasised the "importance of a regulatory approach that prioritises education and support for prescribers, ensuring that the growing medicinal cannabis sector continues to thrive while maintaining high standards of patient care".
"Cannabis Council Australia is encouraged by the open and constructive nature of the discussion with the RRRU," he added.
"Our focus was on advocating for a balanced regulatory framework that supports both eligible patient access and prescriber confidence. It is essential that the regulatory environment focuses on education over punitive measures in the first instance, particularly given the sector's emerging status."
Cannabis Council Australia also said early results from its 2024 state of the industry survey indicate that three-quarters of responding clinicians view the current level of medical cannabis education as inadequate.
McCrone said the finding pointed to "a significant need for enhanced education and clearer guidance for healthcare professionals".
"We conveyed to the RRRU that supporting prescribers through education will ultimately benefit patients and the broader healthcare system," he added.
