In this special edition of Plant Rants, we take a look at the TGA’s 2025 consultation paper.

With the help of our AI journalists Charlene and Chadwick, this episode peels back the layers of bias and risk-centric framing.

So whose voices are being heard? Whose experiences actually count? And how do the lived realities of thousands of patients, who are seeing life-changing benefits from medicinal cannabis, stack up against the official risk-heavy framing of regulators?

This episode deep dives into:

• The consultation’s overwhelming focus on risks and hazards.
• Real-world patient outcomes, like massive opioid reduction, improved quality of life, and even return-to-work rates.
• Why ignoring dosing, supervision, and episodic use misses the fundamentals of pharmacology.
• Join The Patients movement fighting to ensure lived experience is central to the policy conversation.

📢 Call to action:
Read the document. Make your own decisions.

And most importantly, please get involved. The consultation period closes on 7 October 2025. Don’t miss the chance to have your say.
https://consultations.tga.gov.au/medicines-regulation-division/test-soms/

🔗 Join the movement at https://www.thepatients.au/

On Monday 11 August 2025, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) opened an eight-week public consultation on medicinal cannabis in Australia. The outcome of this process could shape how patients access plant medicine for years to come.

Australia’s medicinal cannabis program is regarded globally as one of the most respected, but access is not guaranteed. Even in places like California, once thought untouchable, patient access has been stripped back. We cannot let that happen here.

That’s why The Patients’ Campaign was created: to ensure this consultation remains patient-led, with lived experience and patient stories at the centre of decision-making.

In this episode:

• Natalie explains what’s at stake and why the consultation matters.
• A short AI-generated interview with Charlene and Chadwick helps to summarise the themes from the TGA’s 21-page consultation paper (while encouraging you to read it yourself).
• We explore the risks and regulatory concerns highlighted by the TGA, and what a patient-centred reframing could look like.
• Why sharing your own story during this consultation could be the most powerful way to shift the narrative.
• The sound for this episode is pretty bad. Manifesting something good for next episodes here!

⚠️ Note: The AI segment reflects the consultation themes but is not a substitute for reading the document yourself.
Please use it as a starting point only.

✨ Key Links

• 📄 Read the TGA consultation paper (21 pages, easier than it looks!)
• 🌿 Join The Patients’ Campaign to stay connected, share your story, and get resources to participate

• 🎥 Webinar — Thursday 21 August, 7pm AEST
  • Breaking down the consultation document
  • Keeping The Patient voices front and centre

👉 Register now here.

💬 A Thought to Hold

"Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who has said it, not even if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense."
— Attributed to the Buddha

🎧 Listen now and thank you for your advocacy.

Plant Rants Podcast: Episode 3

Host: Natalie D'Alessandro

Episode Title: Australia's Cannabis Industry: A Sunny Place for Shady People?

Episode Description:
Welcome to the third episode of Plant Rants, hosted by Natalie D'Alessandro, CEO of Viz Medicinal.

In this episode, Natalie tackles the intriguing reputation of the Australian cannabis industry, exploring the challenges and triumphs faced by those within it. She discusses the impact of negative media coverage and highlights the importance of media literacy. Natalie also reads a compelling article on gender diversity in leadership roles within the cannabis sector and shares an inspiring piece celebrating dreamers.

Join Natalie as she delves into the complexities of the industry and emphasises the need for positivity and resilience.

Episode Highlights:

• Natalie's exploration of the "shady people" perception in the cannabis industry
• Importance of media literacy and upcoming Media Masterclass
• Reading an article on gender diversity in leadership
• Celebrating dreamers in the industry

Media Literacy and Masterclass:

• Highlighting the importance of understanding media dynamics.
• Announcement of the Cannabis Industry Media Masterclass for industry insiders and healthcare professionals.
• Encouraging listeners to register for an invitation on the Viz Medicinal website.

Gender Diversity in Leadership:

• Reading an article by Hannah Adler on the importance of having women in leadership roles in the cannabis industry.
• Discussion of the challenges and progress made in achieving gender equality.
• Acknowledgment of the contributions of women leaders and the need for continued efforts.

Celebrating Dreamers:

• Sharing a LinkedIn post by Juliana Whitney, celebrating the resilience and spirit of dreamers.
• Emphasizing the value of dreaming and the importance of supporting dreamers in the industry.

Conclusion:

• Reflection on the episode and its themes.
• Gratitude to listeners for their support and feedback.
• Encouragement to stay connected on LinkedIn and participate in upcoming events.

Call to Action:

• Register for an invitation to the upcoming Media Masterclass webinar at vizmedicinal.com.

Additional Notes:

• For those who find Natalie’s speaking pace fast, please consider adjusting the playback speed.
• Natalie was listening to this album while preparing this episode. The album was released last week by a local band, Girl and Girl, with songs on the album like: Call a Doctor, Mother and Outro. Natalie very much enjoys the synchronicities in life and is excited to head to the album launch at Junk Bar in Brisbane tonight. You can find the album on Spotify here.
• Natalie is sorry she said endlessly and salacious twice.

Links:

• Adam Isaac Miller’s Newsletter on LinkedIn
• Viz Medicinal Please sign up for Cannabis Industry Media Masterclass - Email invitation coming soon
• Natalie's LinkedIn
• Viz Medicinal LinkedIn
• Juliana's LinkedIn
• Cannabiz Article
• Miley Cyrus - Plastic Hearts

Thank you for listening!

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with others who might benefit.