A healthcare executive with 25 years of experience — including more than a decade at the Royal Australasian College of Physicians — has been appointed to lead Cannabis Council Australia as its first chief executive.
Lisa Penlington spent her final seven years at the RACP as executive general manager of member engagement and support, having joined the organisation in 2014 following a decade at the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists.
Her professional background covers health policy, governance, and stakeholder engagement.
Penlington takes on the role at a sensitive moment for the industry, which is under growing pressure from multiple directions, including scrutiny from regulators and medical organisations.
The RACP has bucked the trend among medical bodies by expressing support for cannabis, calling for the legalisation of personal use and possession within a "tightly controlled regulated market".
Penlington said: "I'm very pleased to be stepping into this role at such a formative time for the medicinal cannabis industry.
"Australia took a careful path to legalisation, and the sector is growing rapidly. That brings real opportunity – and responsibility.
"My focus will be on building structure and strategy that support quality, safety, and sustainability along the supply chain, while working to dismantle the stigma that still surrounds medicinal cannabis."
She said her immediate priority will be engaging with industry stakeholders to "inform and guide Cannabis Council Australia's strategic direction".
"My experience in health has taught me that most stakeholders have more in common than not – and that every sector needs a forum to work those shared goals through," Penlington said.
"That's what Cannabis Council Australia offers this industry. I'm here to deliver on that promise with transparency, collaboration, and focus."
The board of the Montu-backed CCA said the appointment brings "deep credibility and strong health sector experience to this role".
"She has a clear track record of working across complex systems to achieve strategic reform, and she understands the unique challenges our sector faces," it said in a statement.
"Her leadership will be instrumental in shaping the council into a long-term force for progress – across industry, health and government."
