A recent Australian survey shows that over 60% of residents support the inclusion of medical cannabis in mainstream healthcare.
In Australia, the discussion surrounding medical cannabis is gradually moving from a fringe issue to the center of the public healthcare system. While the history of using cannabis for treatment dates back thousands of years, its legal status in modern society has only begun to shift in the last decade. A recent survey of Australians confirms this trend: a majority of Australians are ready for medical cannabis to become part of mainstream healthcare.
Over 60% of Australians support the inclusion of medical cannabis in mainstream healthcare
This survey, commissioned by medical cannabis company Montu and conducted by the Online Research Unit, collected opinions from 1,000 Australian residents. The results showed that 64% of respondents believe medical cannabis should be formally included in the mainstream healthcare system, and 66% believe their doctors are capable of using medical cannabis to treat specific diseases.
The industry report accompanying the survey indicates that the public not only supports medical cannabis therapy itself but also shows a high level of trust in related digital healthcare systems. Telemedicine, in particular, has gained extremely high approval ratings:
- 93.8% of respondents believe telemedicine has improved access to healthcare for residents in remote and rural areas.
- 75% of respondents acknowledge that telemedicine has improved overall healthcare accessibility for the entire nation.
In other words, Australians have become accustomed to and reliant on modern healthcare models, and medical cannabis is gradually losing its stigma in this environment.
Despite ongoing reforms in medical cannabis, obtaining the products remains difficult
In recent years, Australia has continuously adjusted its medical cannabis policies, allowing certain medical cannabis products to be sold through compliant channels. However, surveys and industry commentary point to a real problem: stigma persists, and many patients still struggle to safely and smoothly access the cannabis products they need for treatment.
This means that a significant gap remains between policy allowance and actual access. The industry is calling on the government to continue reforms, freeing legal patients from historical prejudices and procedural constraints.
Adult cannabis is also rapidly gaining support
Not only medical cannabis, but public attitudes in Australia towards the legalization of adult cannabis are also rapidly changing.
According to data from Roy Morgan's large-scale national opinion poll:
- Nearly half of Australians support legalizing adult cannabis.
- Support has increased by 15 percentage points over the past decade.
- Opposition has decreased from 56% in 2015 to 41% currently.
- 11% of respondents were undecided, indicating significant room for further debate.
From April 2024 to March 2025, over 69,000 Australians will be asked the same question: "Do you think cannabis should be legalized or remain illegal?" Support has increased across almost all age groups:
- 18–24 years: 54% support
- 25–34 years: 58% support, a 24% increase from ten years ago
- 50–64 years: 48% support, a 19% increase from 2019
- 65 years and older: 36% support, also an increase from 2019
The trend is very clear: Australian society is undergoing a structural shift in attitudes.
Medical cannabis and telemedicine are becoming the new normal
Leafio General Manager Nicole Le Maistre believes these changes are not accidental, but rather the result of the cumulative modernization of Australia's healthcare system over the past decade.
She points out that since the legalization of medical cannabis, both medical cannabis and telemedicine have grown from fringe options to integral parts of the mainstream healthcare system. Furthermore, public trust in the modernization of the healthcare system is continuously increasing.
The survey further shows:
More than one-third of respondents believe that telemedicine will become their primary way of accessing basic healthcare services within the next five years.
Modern lifestyles are driving more patients to want:
- to communicate with doctors and nurses at appropriate times
- to enjoy convenient services such as home medication delivery
- to have more autonomy in medication choices
Australians are not just accepting healthcare modernization; they are explicitly driving it.
Summary: Attitudes are changing, and this change is gradually influencing policy direction
The trends presented in this survey are very clear:
Medical cannabis is moving into the mainstream healthcare system.
Telemedicine is accelerating this process.
The social foundation for legalizing adult cannabis is rapidly taking shape.
While policy, access, and social awareness barriers still exist, Australia is experiencing a clear and irreversible trend: a more open, modern, and patient-centered healthcare system.
In the coming years, this public opinion data is highly likely to drive policy further towards greater openness and transparency.
