Psychiatrists have welcomed the Department of Veterans’ Affairs’ updated Medicinal Cannabis Framework in the wake of an ABC 7.30 investigation that revealed medicinal cannabis companies have been offering financial incentives to military advocates in exchange for referrals.

Royal Australian and New Zealand College President Dr Astha Tomar said the DVA's new guidance is a critical step in safeguarding veteran clinical health, mental health and wellbeing.

"Veterans navigating complex health and compensation systems need providers they can trust, and it is deeply concerning that some operators have sought to exploit that relationship for financial gain," Dr Tomar said.

"Requiring face-to-face specialist consultations before prescribing medicinal cannabis is sound clinical practice. It helps ensure that veterans receive a thorough assessment, contraindications are properly communicated, and the treating relationship is built on genuine care and understanding of the veteran’s full spectrum of needs.”

Dr Tomar said clinical decisions must never be influenced by financial arrangements, and veteran care must be guided solely by clinical need and evidence.

The DVA's intervention comes as the RANZCP continues to raise concerns about the broader clinical evidence base for medicinal cannabis, particularly for mental health conditions prevalent among veterans. 

In its clinical memorandum on medicinal cannabis, the RANZCP highlights high-quality evidence supporting its routine use for anxiety, PTSD and other mental health conditions remains limited.

“Psychiatrists who work with veterans see firsthand the complexity of their mental and physical health needs,” Dr Tomar said.

“Veterans can present with complex, often interconnected needs, and the best outcomes come from coordinated, multidisciplinary care that looks at the whole person, including their trauma, physical health, substance use, and social circumstances together. Isolated prescribing practices that address one symptom without that broader context risk doing more harm than good.

"Where medicinal cannabis is prescribed, it should only be done after other treatments have been tried, with careful consideration of the risks, and with outcomes properly recorded. This is especially important for high-potency THC products, which can carry serious risks for people with a predisposition to psychosis.

"We strongly support the DVA's efforts to stamp out predatory practice in the veteran health system and urge continued vigilance, robust enforcement, and ongoing consultation with clinicians to ensure these reforms deliver real protection for the people who have served our country."

The RANZCP continues to work closely with government and health authorities to promote evidence-based, ethical care for veterans and their families.

Enquiries: For more information, or to arrange an interview call Dishi on +61 437 315 911 or email media@ranzcp.org.  

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists is a membership organisation that prepares medical specialists in the field of psychiatry, supports and enhances clinical practice, advocates for people affected by mental illness and advises governments and other groups on mental health care. For information about our work, our members or our history, visit www.ranzcp.org.

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