Cannabis
Medicinal cannabis sales and regulatory enforcement
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. Penington Institute’s new report shows sales dropped by 28.5% in the second half of 2025, a sudden reversal after years of rapid growth.
Medicinal cannabis sales have dropped by nearly 30% in the past 6 months
• This decline is likely due to increased regulatory enforcement targeting high volume clinics and prescribers
• Regulators must protect patients from unscrupulous operators whilst also ensuring access to medicinal cannabis for people who benefit from this medicine.
• The new data suggests that governments should continue to focus on enforcement while avoiding regulations that could benefit illicit market suppliers.