Evolving health policy and regulatory oversight of medicinal cannabis in Australia: lessons for sustainable integration

Since federal legalisation in November 2016, Australia’s medical cannabis regulation has evolved into a complex framework that involves the Therapeutic Goods Administration, state health departments, and multiple professional oversight bodies. This narrative review examines the policy hurdles and coordination gaps that have emerged between 2016 and 2024, providing a longitudinal perspective on the ongoing debate. Evidence shows patient access expanded dramatically: the number of prescriptions jumped from 231 in 2017 to more than one million by early 2024, generating an estimated market value of AUD $445.6 million. Yet notable barriers remain, including monthly costs that average between $200 and $600, uneven availability in remote areas, and variable knowledge levels among general practitioners and specialists. Core obstacles, therefore, include the tangled federal-state regulatory maze, persistent equity problems for rural patients, challenges in embedding medical cannabis into standard clinical pathways, and a supply chain that still relies heavily on imported products. A comparative analysis with Canada’s opt-out insurance model, Germany’s pharmacist-led dispensing, and the Netherlands’ community-growth scheme highlights Australia’s relatively restrictive approach, particularly in terms of reimbursement and comprehensive provider training. Policy options thus centre on extending Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) subsidies, building domestic cultivation and manufacturing capacity, mandating uniform educational modules for prescribers, and streamlining inter-agency oversight. This review aims to inform Australian reforms while also offering transferable lessons for other jurisdictions contemplating or revising therapeutic cannabis programmes.