Data on Regulatory Actions for Medicinal Cannabis Prescribing
Dear Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency,
I am requesting access to documents under the Freedom of Information Act 1982.
Information Requested
For the period from 1 November 2016 to the present, I request the following information regarding medical practitioners and the prescribing of Schedule 8 medicinal cannabis:
The total number of notifications (complaints) received.
The total number of investigations commenced.
The total number of matters that resulted in regulatory action.
A de-identified list of all regulatory actions taken, specifying for each matter:
a. The conduct (e.g., inadequate patient assessment, inappropriate prescribing).
b. The penalty or outcome (e.g., caution, conditions imposed, suspension).
Scope of Request
This request specifically includes actions taken in relation to business models of concern, including:
"Prescription Channelling": Practices that improperly direct patients to a specific pharmacy, limiting patient choice.
"Closed-Loop Prescribing": Models where the prescriber and supplier are not independent, creating a conflict of interest.
The release of this information is in the public interest, as it concerns patient safety and regulatory transparency for a high-risk area of medical practice.
Please provide the documents in an electronic format.
Yours faithfully,
Zack
Dear Zack
Thank you for your email. dated 18 August 2025.
An FOI Officer will be in touch with you within the next fortnight to provide information about the FOI process and request further information from you, if it is needed.
If you have any questions in the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact us at [AHPRA request email] and quote reference number FOI54284.
Kind regards
Legal Support
National Legal Practice
Email | [AHPRA request email]
Web | http://www.ahpra.gov.au/
Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
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Please consider the environment before printing.
Dear Zack
Thank you for contacting Ahpra with your new Freedom of Information (FOI)
request of 18 August 2025.
Please see the attached formal acknowledgment letter confirming your FOI
request and setting out important preliminary information.
If you have any questions in relation to this correspondence, please
contact [1][AHPRA request email].
Kind regards
Ahpra FOI team
National Information Release Unit, National Legal Practice
Email | [2][AHPRA request email]
Web | [3]www.ahpra.gov.au
Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency
G.P.O. Box 9958 | Your capital city | [4]www.ahpra.gov.au
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended
solely for the use of the named addressee. If you have received this email
in error or you are not the named addressee notify the sender immediately
and delete this e-mail. Do not disseminate, distribute or copy this
e-mail. If you are not the named addressee disclosing, copying,
distributing or taking any action in reliance on the contents of this
information is strictly prohibited.
Please consider the environment before printing.
Ahpra acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia
and the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our
respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and Elders past
and present.
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References
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1. mailto:[AHPRA request email]
2. mailto:[AHPRA request email]
3. https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/BSb_C9...
4. https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/BSb_C9...