Medicinal Cannabis Expert Working Group, Meeting 8

The Medicinal Cannabis Expert Working Group (MCEWG) met for its eighth meeting in Canberra on Tuesday 28 July 2026. 

The MCEWG membership is comprised of a diverse group of experts in the medicinal cannabis field, including researchers, consumer and industry representatives and health practitioners with expertise in general practice, neurology, mental health, pain management, palliative care and pharmacy.

The following topics were discussed: 

The use of medicinal cannabis in palliative care 

Members received a presentation from a palliative care nurse practitioner on their clinical experience on the use of medicinal cannabis products as adjunct therapy in adult palliative care. The presentation considered the current evidence base, clinical practice considerations, consideration of patient contradictions, and the potential role of medicinal cannabis in managing pain and symptoms for people receiving palliative care, while noting that evidence remains limited for many indications. Members also discussed the vulnerability of palliative care patients to low-value care and some vertically integrated telehealth prescribing models, as well as affordability issues. 

Update on the progress of the medicinal cannabis regulatory reform work and Therapeutic Goods Order No. 93 (TGO 93)

The TGA provided members with a summary of submissions received through the TGA’s recent consultation on the safety and regulatory oversight of unapproved medicinal cannabis products. The TGA has published a number of education and awareness materials and outlined a staged program of regulatory reform, including consideration of updates to Therapeutic Goods Order No. 93, the quality standard for medicinal cannabis products.

Members separately discussed feedback received through the public consultation on the current status of TGO 93. It was noted that any substantial amendments to TGO 93 would be subject to further consultation.

Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care’s draft clinical practice guidelines for prescribing unapproved medicinal cannabis products

Members received an update on the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care’s planned program of work to develop educational resources supporting the safe prescribing, dispensing and administration of unapproved medicinal cannabis products. 

Next meeting

The next meeting will be held in Canberra in October 2026.