Medicinal Cannabis Industry Australia (MCIA) has announced a change in leadership, with chair Peter Crock stepping down and board director and Cann Group CEO Peter Koetsier stepping into the role.
Crock confirmed the transition at MCIA's AGM on Wednesday, noting he will stay on the board to support Koetsier and help ensure continuity, with the handover taking effect immediately.
Koetsier, who also took over from Crock as Cann Group CEO in January, brings more than 30 years of experience across global pharmaceutical companies and has previously held leadership roles on industry boards.
Crock said: "After seven long years in the pressure cooker of a nascent industry, I have decided it is the right time for me to hand the baton on.
"It has been an honour and a privilege to be at the forefront of such an important opportunity, to break the shackles and stigma of prohibition, and provide all-important access to effectively a new class of medicine in Australia and around the world."
Koetsier added: "I'd like to acknowledge the valuable role Peter Crock has played in guiding this industry through its early years. Peter's work to develop strong industry relationships with government representatives and departments has allowed MCIA to have a strong voice for change.
"He has led MCIA through a time of unprecedented growth in patient access and acceptance of our industry. I look forward to continuing the work to facilitate the growth, development and reputation of the medicinal cannabis industry."
The leadership change at MCIA comes just two weeks after Australian Medicinal Cannabis Association (AMCA) chair Lucy Haslam stepped down, with Emily Rigby named as her successor — a back-to-back shift at the top of two of the sector's key representative bodies.
