Medicinal cannabis sales fall nearly 30% as enforcement crackdown takes effect
Medicinal cannabis sales in Australia have fallen sharply for the first time in nearly a decade, with new analysis pointing to a regulatory crackdown on high-volume prescribers and clinics as the key driver. A new report from Penington Institute shows sales dropped by 28.5% in the second half of 2025, a sudden reversal after years of rapid growth. The […]
Victoria falling behind as opioid treatment gap widens
New Federal Government data has revealed an alarming shortfall in access to life-saving opioid dependence treatment in Victoria, prompting calls for urgent reform. Figures from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare show that 57,754 Australians received opioid pharmacotherapy on a snapshot day in June 2025 – yet Victoria is lagging behind comparable states. Opioid pharmacotherapy is a proven […]
Vale Professor The Hon Marie Bashir AD CVO
Penington Institute mourns the passing and pays tribute to the life and achievements of Professor The Hon Dame Marie Bashir AD CVO. Professor Bashir served as a Patron of Penington Institute since the organisation’s establishment in 2014. With trademark compassion and kindness, she was a passionate supporter of Penington Institute’s vision to minimise drug harms to Australians through the pursuit of evidence-based policy approaches. […]
Stop police wasting time on cannabis so they can focus on bigger crime threats, Victorians urge government
Victorians want to stop valuable police time from being wasted on enforcing outdated laws against personal cannabis use. In new polling by Penington Institute (conducted by independent research firm YouGov), just 5% of respondents identified pursuing Victorians for personal cannabis use as a good use of Victoria Police time and resources. Victorians nominated other issues […]
GHB and Stimulants: Navigating Complex Polydrug Use Presentations
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mc12fRRZM_s&feature=youtu.be Note: This recording was edited for clarity, length, and technical quality while preserving the integrity of original presentations GBH and Stimulants: Navigating Complex Polydrug Use Presentations GHB-related harms continue to rise across Australia, with increasing reports of ambulance call outs and emergency department presentations. Concurrent use of stimulants like methamphetamine is increasingly common in […]