Medicinal cannabis sales in Australia are set to hit a record high, with Australians spending an estimated 400 million dollars in the first half of 2024, double the amount spent in 2023.

Since its legalisation in 2016, the medicinal cannabis industry has grown, with clinics and telehealth services offering more access.

According to the latest National Drug Household Survey, 700,000 Australians used cannabis for medical purposes between 2022 and 2023, with over 200,000 accessing it via prescription.

Data from the Special Access Scheme shows that around 59 per cent of approvals in the first half of this year were for men seeking treatment for chronic pain and anxiety.

The not-for-profit Penington Institute has raised concerns about the quality of care, noting that some clinics prioritise high-volume access over high-quality treatment.

CEO John Ryan stated that the system often reduces patient choice and incentivises prescribers to favour specific products and pharmacies, calling these conflicts unacceptable.

Major medical and equity organisations are calling on Victoria’s premier to provide greater rebates for replacing gas appliances, highlighting the “dangerous” health risks associated with gas use, including asthma and leukaemia.

Healthcare workers and community advocates gathered at State parliament this week to deliver an open letter to Premier Jacinta Allan.

The letter, signed by 15 groups, including the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Asthma Australia and the Australian Federation of Medical Women, urges the Premier to introduce an equitable electrification program, offering more financial assistance for households to switch from gas to electric appliances.

Currently, the 140-dollar-rebate offered is insufficient for most households to make the switch, and low-income households and renters could be left behind, facing higher gas charges, as others transition to electricity.

This push follows Premier Allan’s ban on gas in new Victorian homes, part of a broader plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045.

Australians could save 800 million hours, over the next decade, if governments increase investment in digital services, according to a report by Adobe and Mandala Partners, which surveyed government services in six countries.

The report estimates potential savings of 12 billion dollars for state and federal governments.

The Adobe study, now in its third year, assessed 17 Australian state and federal government services on site performance, digital equity, and customer experience, revealing a drop in Australia’s digital score to 67 out of 100, due to reduced investment in accessible and readable content.

The report found 90 per cent of Australians want to use digital platforms, but only 79 per cent succeed.

NSW scored the highest among states for digital services, followed by Western Australia and Tasmania, with Victoria and the Northern Territory ranking the lowest.

Initiatives like the myID app, announced by the federal government, will aim to address reported gaps.