The Compass compassionate access program has stopped taking on new patients while a “comprehensive” review of the scheme is carried out.
The Australian Medicinal Cannabis Association, which operates the program, said it had become necessary to suspend new applications while the program is made “more accessible, more streamlined and easier to navigate”.
AMCA said it will re-open the program to new patients once a “next generation Compass is live featuring clearer guidance for prescribers, simplified processes and a better end-to-end experience for everyone”.
“Our objectives are simple: reduce administrative friction, improve clinical workflows and keep patient care front and centre,” the association told its members.
“We also want to find ways to better recognise the generous support from the sponsors of this program.
“During this review and transition period, Compass will remain available only to existing patients. Current patients will continue to receive uninterrupted support through their usual clinics and prescribers.”
It is unclear precisely what technical elements of the scheme need improving.
The review comes two months after senior executives at Cannabis Warehouse – chief operating officer Eric Chan and chief technology officer Kenny Tran – left the business having been instrumental in getting Compass off the ground.
In July, Cannabis Warehouse pledged to continue to operate the program with chief executive Dima Gouralnik revealing it was working on new elements of the program.
There is no suggestion Cannabis Warehouse will not be involved in a future iteration of Compass.
AMCA board director Sharon Bentley said the review was unrelated to any issues relating to the departures from Cannabis Warehouse.
“AMCA is reviewing Compass to keep pace with the growth of the program and to make it simpler for prescribers and patients,” she said. “The review is driven by program growth and operational efficiency goals, not by the recent departures at Cannabis Warehouse.
“We are working very closely with Cannabis Warehouse on the review of Compass and are very thankful for their ongoing support and contribution.”
She added the program will reopen to new patients once upgraded processes have been tested.
“We are unsure how long the review will take at this stage but AMCA will announce the reopening publicly as soon as implementation is complete,” she said.
Cannabiz contacted Gournalnik for comment but has yet to receive a response.
Compass, which officially launched in July 2024 after a successful six-month trial period, has enabled several hundred patients to access free or heavily subsidised medicinal cannabis. It was named best patient-focused initiative at the Cannabiz Awards 2025.