Vale The Hon Rob Knowles AO
Everyone at Penington Institute is deeply saddened by the passing of The Hon Rob Knowles AO, a valued board member, colleague and friend, whose contribution to our work, and to public life more broadly, was both significant and enduring. Rob’s connection with Penington spanned decades. He spoke at our inaugural conference in the late 1990s when he was the Victorian Minister for Health, […]
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Victorians want to stop valuable police time from being wasted on enforcing outdated laws against personal cannabis use.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 […]
International Overdose Awareness Day 2025 Partners’ Report
Download IOAD Partners’ Report Penington Institute is proud to release the 2025 International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) Partners’ Report, showcasing the extraordinary global effort to end overdose and honour the lives of those we have lost. This year’s campaign theme – One big family, driven by hope – captured the spirit of a worldwide movement […]
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 […]
Australia needs “comprehensive and coherent” laws to regain control of cannabis markets
Penington Institute’s Cannabis in Australia 2025 report reveals an urgent need for governments to take back control of Australia’s fragmented and inconsistent cannabis markets, by embracing reforms that follow the evidence, minimise harm and maximise public benefit. Download report The flagship annual report shows that while medicinal cannabis continues to play an important clinical and […]
Penington disappointed by NSW Government’s “dangerous timidity” on drug reform
Penington Institute statement on the NSW Government’s response to recommendations from the NSW Drug Summit. Attributable to Penington Institute Acting CEO and Director of Research, Dr Jake Dizard: “The NSW Government has opted not to embrace key recommendations from community members and experts designed to minimise harm and make the state safer.” “Blocking additional supervised […]
The Australian: Penington Institute cautions against overly strict cannabis regulation
The Australian recently reported that doctors have criticised medicinal cannabis companies for pushing to assess drug safety based on patient experiences rather than rigorous clinical trials. This comes amid an independent review by the Therapeutic Goods Administration on medicinal cannabis prescriptions, which has highlighted tensions between cautious medical professionals and profit-driven cannabis businesses. Penington Institute […]