TO OUR MEMBERS, COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS AND AMBASSADORS

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Happy New Year, everyone! 

On behalf of AMCA, I would like to wish you, and your families, a very happy, healthy and successful 2022. 

As we embark on another year, It is exciting to share with you some of the initiatives planned for our association. First and foremost, our focus is on patients. There are five main areas of concern for us:

1. Changing 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 could no longer support the unfairness of the current driving laws.

2. Campaigning 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 to ensure that our submission to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicides is comprehensive and well referenced. 

3. Compassionate Access Scheme (CAS): AMCA is committed to working with 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 have been working on a way in which this could be made possible, realising that, to do this in a sustainable way, it will take significantly more planning and effort. We hope to outline a plan to members within the next few months. 

4. Continuing to advocate for fairer treatment of the industry: As well documented in 2021, an imbalance still remains between foreign imports and locally produced medicinal cannabis. We shall continue to support an equal playing field for our local industry until it is a reality. 

5. Remaining 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. 

What we ask of you, our members, is that you continue to let us know how we can better support you. If you haven't yet done our survey, please click through the link below before 20th January. Besides the survey, our lines are always open and we would love to hear from you through info@ausmca.org. 

Wishing you every success as we head into another new year.

Warm regards,

Lucy Haslam

Chair