MCEWG, Meeting 02, 17 July 2024

The Medicinal Cannabis Expert Working Group (MCEWG) met for its second meeting in Canberra on Wednesday 17 July 2024. The MCEWG membership is comprised of experts in the medicinal cannabis field including General Practitioners, consumer and industry representatives and specialists in pharmacy, mental health and pain management.

MCEWG discussion

The Australian Digital Health Agency (the Agency) was invited to present on electronic prescribing systems in Australia. The Agency presented on the interaction of medicinal cannabis products and real time prescription monitoring, highlighting the complexity in achieving visibility of dispensing data for medicines generated as private prescriptions.

Medicinal cannabis vapes was a key area of focus. The MCEWG discussed issues and challenges surrounding medicinal cannabis vapes, with a particular focus on patient safety and quality standards.

The MCEWG heard from a member, a medical research specialist, on the health impacts of high potency Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabino (THC) products utilising data from both the Australian context, including Emergency Department data, and international research.

Next meeting

The next MCEWG meeting will be held in October 2024.