Experienced prescriber Dr Laurence Kemp will explore the “complex” role of medicinal cannabis in treating chronic pain during an online webinar later this month.
The event is the latest in a series of presentations for healthcare practitioners organised by Medical Cannabis Australia (MCA).
Dr Kemp, former head of medical at Medcan-owned Cann I Help and now lead doctor for education at Family Doctor Group, will examine what safe, responsible and defensible prescribing looks like in clinical practice when treating chronic pain with cannabinoid medicine.
The hour-long webinar will take place on Thursday September 24 at 7pm AEST.
MCA said managing chronic pain can present “complex clinical challenges” for medical practitioners.
“This webinar will provide practical insights into the responsible prescribing of medicinal cannabis, with consideration for patient safety, clinical governance and appropriate prescribing practices,” the supplier said.
“Dr Kemp will draw on his experience across general practice, medicinal cannabis, medical education, accreditation and regulatory oversight to share a unique and clinically grounded perspective on navigating medicinal cannabis treatment for patients experiencing chronic pain.”
Pain is historically the most common condition for which medicinal cannabis is prescribed through the Special Access Scheme, regularly accounting for almost half of successful applications to the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
However, in 2026, pain and chronic pain have been reported differently to previous years through the SAS-B dashboard.
In 2025, chronic pain accounted for 95,000 of the 221,000 TGA approvals, and pain only 1,540.
But the numbers have reversed in the first eight months of 2026 with under 2,000 prescriptions approved for chronic pain and 66,000 for pain more generally.