TO OUR MEMBERS, COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS AND AMBASSADORS

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i'd like to share with you some of the initiatives being undertaken or planned for our association in 2022. First and foremost, our focus is on patients. There are five main areas of activity for us in 2022:

1. Change driving laws: the challenge and imbalance of cannabis restrictions when compared to those set for opioids, benzodiazepine and other narcotics continues to be our no.1 focus. For patients to be unable to drive with even a trace of legally prescribed THC in their blood, even if it improves their cognition, is extremely unfair. Our General Manager, Gail Wiseman, and I are both ambassadors for the Drive Change movement that is spearheaded by one of our own ambassadors, David Heilpern. David is an ex-magistrate who left the bench because he could no longer support the unfairness of the current driving laws. AMCA has made submissions to both the WA and NSW governments this year with regard to the need to change the driving laws.

2. Support the campaign for better access for Veterans: Although DVA will currently fund medicinal cannabis for chronic pain, funding is still declined for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as an indication. AMCA is putting together a working group, mid year, to ensure that our submission to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicides is comprehensive and well referenced. 

3. Improve patient access and affordability: AMCA is committed to working with industry and our associated organisations, United in Compassion (UIC) and the Society of Cannabis Clinicians Australian Chapter (SCCAC) to provide free or affordable access to patients who cannot afford this life changing treatment. We realise that to do this in a sustainable way will take significant planning and effort. We hope to outline a plan for a Compassionate Access Scheme to members within the next few months. 

4. Reduce stigma and advocate for fairer treatment of the industry: The imbalance that there has been between foreign imports and locally produced medicinal cannabis is finally being addressed by the TGA. We shall continue to support an equal playing field for our local industry until it is a reality. We shall also continue to advocate for the sector to reduce the stigma that still remains amongst some of the public, politicians and healthcare practitioners.

5. Remain abreast of scientific developments: We are delighted to announce the formation of the AMCA Science Committee which will be formed and Chaired by Nial Wheate. The remit of this committee will be to meet regularly and/or as required to keep abreast of scientific developments,  and to prepare advice and communications for the AMCA Board, AMCA members and government bodies such as the TGA, as appropriate. Please also see our website for an array of published clinical papers. 

Finally, our main reason for being is to represent the broad medicinal cannabis sector and I am delighted to see that our membership, which now numbers well over 150 individuals, continues to represent the full breadth of this field - from patients, their carers and health care practitioners to the industry and its associated specialists. We shall continue to host Interest Groups and convene Working Groups to address key issues. 

If you'd like to be part of change and haven't joined AMCA yet, please do!

Lucy Haslam

Chair