MCIA is the voice for Australia's medicinal cannabis industry

It represents the mutual interests of members to build a sustainable and responsible industry, that is trusted, valued, puts patients first and recognised for its quality and innovation

MCIA focus is on building an industry that enhances wellbeing through facilitating access to quality Australian medicinal cannabis products for Australian and global patients. 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, services and information.

MCIA is delivering for the industry through:

• Putting patients first
• Shaping the regulatory environment
• Building trust & transparency
• Supporting industry growth
• Enabling the medicinal cannabis ecosystem

Medicinal Cannabis Industry Australia (MCIA) is pleased to welcome you to ACannabis 2023 and, after two years of holding the conference virtually, it is a pleasure to be meeting face-to-face once again. While virtual served its purpose well during the heights of COVID, nothing can replace the networking aspect of a face-to-face meeting. 

The medicinal cannabis ecosystem continues to grow and evolve and there has been much change since we last met in person. Our theme this year of “GROWING THE INDUSTRY THROUGH RESEARCH, COLLABORATION & INNOVATION” is very timely. MCIA released its “Roadmap - The Medicinal Cannabis Industry: Opportunities and Future Direction” earlier this year which identified that the industry is poised for substantial growth following some difficult years. The Roadmap advocates for a “patient first” focus, highlighting the need to improve patient access and export capabilities. A demand-led approach will require action to address the regulatory barriers for companies, healthcare professionals, researchers and patients to expand access and improve affordability to enable industry growth. As a new and emerging industry there is much that we can achieve by working together and keeping patients as our focus.

MCIA launched ACannabis in 2020 as a platform for us to come together to build networks, share knowledge and learn. ACannabis draws together policy makers, governments, global leaders, healthcare practitioners, patients and industry participants to share knowledge, exchange ideas and showcase leading-edge technologies and opportunities.

ACannabis 2023 will again highlight innovation and research from Australia and around the globe, provide perspectives on global trends, and a unique opportunity for the sector to have the conversations required to leverage our advantages. It’s a place where parties from across the medicinal cannabis value chain can connect. It’s an opportunity for the industry to develop a greater understanding of medical needs and to build confidence in prescribing medicinal cannabis so patients can assess this important new medicine.

I said last year that Australia is well placed to leverage the changing social and legal environment to lead the world with quality medicinal cannabis, improve the wellbeing of patients, and develop a new export industry. This remains true, and MCIA has a range of activities underway to help support our industry’s reputation and social licence.

MCIA’s vision is to have an innovative, responsible and legally compliant industry delivering both economic and social value while focusing on individual well-being. Our role in defining the industry is to bring people together to drive collaboration, funding and opportunities that will shape our future.

MCIA continues to lead the medicinal cannabis sector through promoting the development of the industry and supporting its growth through providing services to members, facilitating linkages between participants and encouraging the industry to work together for the betterment of all. 

I hope you enjoy the learning and the return to face-to-face networking opportunities provided by this year's ACannabis conference.

Regards

Peter Crock, MCIA Chair