Medicinal Cannabis Industry Australia (MCIA) and the Australian Medicinal Cannabis Association (AMCA) have called for donations to an industry response fund with the proceeds used to develop a co-ordinated approach to the TGA’s medicinal cannabis consultation and “broader public discourse”.
In an email sent yesterday, the MCIA board urged members and industry stakeholders to contribute “according to their capacity” with suggested contribution levels ranging from A$1,000 to $20,000.
The money will be used to commission expert advice and regulatory analysis and engage legal services to support a joint submission from MCIA and AMCA in the run up to the TGA’s October 7 deadline.
It will also fund coordinated advocacy campaigns and stakeholder engagement, and the development of “clear, industry‑supported messaging to inform the regulator and broader public discourse”.
MCIA has contributed $20,000 from its recent ACannabis conference to kickstart the fund. A ledger will be maintained and a post-consultation summary shared with all contributors detailing expenditure and results.
The initiative comes as MCIA and AMCA prepare a joint response to the regulator, with both bodies stressing the importance of presenting a unified front.
“There’s strength in numbers. The regulators have always said there’s been mixed messaging from industry associations,” MCIA chair Kristin Viccars told Cannabiz.
Viccars, who has previously insisted the Australian market could be 20 to 30% bigger with greater unity, compliance and leadership, said the money would be used to provide the industry with the tools it needs to respond to the regulator and the wider community.
“Ultimately the fund is being set up to commission expert-led resources and analysis,” he said.
“It will be used to engage appropriate professional services to support the submission, and to coordinate advocacy campaigns and stakeholder engagement. These are the three main pillars to ensure what is submitted is for the betterment of the industry.”
MCIA board member Justin Howden said the idea was to establish an industry resource fund that could be used beyond the initial consultation phase.
“We want to have the best brains in the industry if we need them,” he said.
Viccars added members had specifically asked for a way to contribute to the submission.
“The members have asked us to set this up on their behalf so they can make donations,” he said.
While raising $100k would be “a great outcome”, Viccars added it was vital to have enough money to fund positive activity in the long term.
“The more resources we have, the more we can do. This is about creating an ongoing pool we can draw on to bring in the right expertise as needed.”
AMCA chair Dr Teresa Nicoletti said the joint submission comes at a pivotal moment for the industry.
“This is arguably the most significant review of the medicinal cannabis regulatory framework since legalisation, and its outcomes will directly shape the future of our sector,” she said.
“It is critical that we consider the interests of the sector as a whole and that our response reflects collective views about [its] needs moving forward.”
Looking ahead, Viccars said the key risk if the TGA ultimately tightens regulations is that it has “unintended consequences for patients.”
“Our focus is on ensuring a sustainable pathway to improve patient access while also mitigating some of the risks that are apparent,” he said.
“This is an opportunity to provide solutions to some of those risks, to ensure patient and broader community safety.”
On balancing access and safety, Viccars said: “It’s about looking at the ecosystem and using the data and facts we have at our disposal to make informed decisions. We want to propose solutions that improve access while balancing the safety profile for patients.”
International experience would also help shape the submission.
“Globally, there are lessons to be learned – from Canada, for example, where a lot has gone right but some things have gone wrong,” Viccars said.
“We’re fortunate to have a balanced regulator in Australia, but it’s important to draw on both overseas and local experience to find the right solutions for a sustainable industry.”
Contributions to the Industry Response Fund are tax deductible and can be made via MCIA and AMCA’s GoFundMe page.