The burgeoning medicinal cannabis industry is still very much taking shape in Australia. Last years’ Report on the Review of the Narcotic Drugs Act 1967 by Professor John McMillan AO made 26 recommendations, all of which have been accepted by the government.
This includes a recommendation to replace the current licensing scheme, under which licences for cultivation and production, research and manufacture are granted separately, with a single licence model. The consultation period for the new licence model remains open until February 3, 2020.
Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, said implementation of the recommendations is important for both patients and businesses.
“Cutting red tape and streamlining processes will strengthen this important and evolving industry, and ensure medicinal cannabis is available to Australian patients under proper medical supervision,” he said.
The Market Herald has compiled a list of five key medicinal cannabis events for 2020, covering topics from licensing, cultivation and extraction processes to the latest medical research.
ACannabis
This industry-led event is the inaugural conference organised by the Medicinal Cannabis Industry Australia (MCIA). ACannabis will cover policy makers, government, global leaders, healthcare professionals, cultivators, manufacturers, business, biotech, agtech, medtech, patients and industry participants.
Key MCIA partners attending the event include Althea, AusCann, CannGroup, LeafCann, MedReleaf, THC Global Group.
“ACannabis is the platform to gain a deep understanding of ground-breaking research, an inside perspective on global trends and a unique opportunity for the agritech and medtech sector to have the conversations required to leverage our advantages,”
MCIA Chairman Peter Crock.
Where: The Timber Yard, Melbourne
When: 3-4 March 2020
Price: $825 early bird, $1100 standard for both days
Medicinal Cannabis Symposium
The symposium program will cover topics such as medicinal cannabis and endometriosis, gut health, brain health and chronic pain. Additionally, a number of sessions focus on medicinal cannabis in Australia and patient experience.
The event is organised by Cannatrek, an unlisted company working along the entire supply chain. Cannatrek holds licences to research, grow, manufacture, import and distribute medicinal cannabis.
Where: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
When: 28 April 2020
Price: $495
Australian Medicinal Cannabis Conference
This conference, hosted by PharmOut and Prohibition Partners, aims to equip Australian businesses with the necessary information to operate in Australia for both domestic and global distribution.
Sessions focus on practical topics such as the necessary engineering, facility architecture, GACP and GMP requirements, as well as licensing and permits. With international experts also attending the conference, it also aims to connect cultivators and manufacturers in Australian and New Zealand to the Canadian, European and Oceania markets.
Where: Sofitel, Melbourne
When: 23-24 March 2020
Price: $999
4th International Conference on Cannabis and Medicinal Research
This conference brings together researchers from around the world to share the latest research around the theme of ‘Challenges and Barriers in Agronomy, Medicinal and upshot of Cannabis’.
Where: Sydney
When: 8-9 April 2020
Price: $199 – $799 (registration only, not accommodation inclusive package)
Medicinal Cannabis Conference for Health Care Professionals
This conference is specifically targeted at health care professionals and covers topics from affects on brain and body, the latest medical research as well as legal, ethical, and clinical considerations.
Where: Oaks on Collins, Melbourne
When: 25-26 June 2020
Price: $759