Latest Medical Cannabis News
21 May 2020
Medicinal Cannabis Industry Australia (MCIA) and Medical Cannabis Council (MCC) collaborate to form a unified voice for the Australian medicinal cannabis industry
MCIA and MCC are pleased to announce that they have entered a collaboration arrangement to create a unified voice for the Australian medicinal cannabis industry.
The Australian medicinal cannabis industry has an important role to play in improving health outcomes for Australian patients. Australia is well placed to lead the world with quality medicinal cannabis, deliver next generation patient well-being, and develop a new export industry.
It is the view of both organisations that the industry will be best served by having a shared vision and speaking with one voice. MCIA and MCC agree that this collaboration is in the best interests of the Australian medicinal cannabis industry, and ultimately, Australian patients.
MCIA and MCC believe that this collaboration will enable the sector to more effectively shape and build an industry that enhances wellbeing and which is built on sound science and is underpinned by industry processes that deliver confidence. While still in a formative stage, the Australian medicinal cannabis industry is expected to see some major developments over the next couple of years with the licensed sector having significant production and manufacturing capacity coming online that will see patients being able to access Australian quality product in a timely and affordable manner, increased information available for doctors and patients, and growth of export activities.
The industry continues to face domestic and global challenges, most recently disruption resulting from COVID- 19. MCIA and MCC believe this collaboration is timely and will best position the industry to address challenges and maximise opportunities.
This collaboration of MCIA and MCC will deliver benefits for members, the industry and, most importantly, patients. This will be delivered through a stronger and more representative voice, better use of member resources, enhanced services across advocacy, education, industry standards/processes and networking, and wider recognition across Government and the community.
This collaboration is possible because of the strong alignment between the two organisations in terms of our vision, purpose and activities. It builds on the complementary strengths of our two organisations while respecting and retaining the presence, membership, and unique strengths of each.
MCIA and MCC will coinvest in projects that deliver beneficial outcomes for the sector, with an early initiative for the collaboration arrangement being a concept plan for a Patient/Doctor Special Interest Group. The collaboration arrangements will also include MCC members joining MCIA Working Groups and other activities. Ms Carol Ireland will join the MCIA Board, representing consumer and MCC member interests.
This collaboration will be reviewed over coming months to identify further opportunities.
For further information:
Medicinal Cannabis Industry Australia Medical Cannabis Council Rosemary Richards +61 411 564 128 Carol Ireland: +61 425 269 312 Peter Crock: +61 419 307 467
ABOUT MCIA:
MCIA is a not-for-profit organisation, established in 2018, and is the peak industry organisation for Australia’s licensed medicinal cannabis industry. This encompasses all activities of medicinal cannabis licence holders across research, cultivation and manufacturing and interaction with patients, the medical profession and communities. MCIA’s focus is on building an industry that enhances wellbeing through facilitating access to quality Australian medicinal cannabis products for Australian and global patients. MCIA provides stewardship for an economically sustainable and socially responsible industry that is trusted and valued by patients, the medical community and governments. The Australian industry and its products are built on sound science and underpinned by industry processes and standards that ensure patients, the medical community and governments have confidence in the sector and its products.
ABOUT MCC:
MCC has been operating as an Australian based not-for-profit organisation since 2017, with the objective of creating a single unified voice for the Australian medical cannabis industry and representing cultivators, manufacturers, distributors, ancillary organisations, researchers, educators, not-for-profit advocacy groups and more.