Medicinal marijuana: Commercialisation and innovation in a complex regulatory environment

As the regulatory framework for medicinal cannabis in Australia becomes more permissive for both producers and patients, there is an opportunity to develop a robust manufacturing and production industry to meet supply in both domestic and international markets. The ability of the Australian biotechnology industry to capitalise on this opportunity will depend on the ability of stakeholders to navigate the complex regulatory obstacles presented by overlapping federal and state legislation. Furthermore, Australian producers will also have to face strong competition from well-established players in the United States, Canada and Israel to establish a foothold in this booming global industry.