Cannabis Council Australia (CCA) is calling on industry participants to help steer the direction of the country's medicinal cannabis sector through a new nationwide survey.
The Montu-backed organisation has released a state-of-the-industry survey intended to gather firsthand accounts and real-world experiences from both clinicians and patients.
The survey will also seek to pinpoint the most pressing challenges and concerns facing stakeholders across the sector.
CCA said the resulting data would be used to "drive meaningful change".
"This survey is a powerful tool that allows us to directly engage with those who are most impacted by the current policies and practices surrounding medical cannabis," CCA spokesperson and Montu vice president Rhys Staley said.
"Our goal is to ensure that the voices of clinicians and patients are not only heard, but are central to the reforms we advocate for at the legal and regulatory levels."
CCA indicated that survey findings would be distributed to a broad range of stakeholders — including policymakers and researchers — to build a clearer picture of the challenges and opportunities present in the medical cannabis sector.
Staley described the current moment in the industry's development as a "critical juncture".
"The insights gathered from this survey will guide our efforts to reduce stigma, eliminate barriers to care, and improve access for all Australians who rely on medical cannabis as part of their treatment," he said.
"These surveys are designed to empower the community to shape the future of the medical cannabis sector – every response we receive strengthens our ability to advocate for policies that truly reflect the needs and experiences of those we serve."
Levin Health managing director Mark Brayshaw said the information collected would deliver benefits across the whole sector.
"It will provide the data needed to address the challenges our industry faces, particularly in areas like patient access and regulatory reform," he said. "It's an initiative that has our full backing."
The survey can be found here.
