Humans have been making use of the cannabis plant for medical purposes for many centuries. Consumption for medical purposes goes back at least as far as 2,800 BC, as evidenced by cannabis being included in Emperor Shen Nung’s (regarded as the father of Chinese medicine) pharmacopeia around that time.

It wasn’t until the 1900s that cannabis activity became prohibited around the world, including prohibitions on medical use. Thankfully, many jurisdictions around the world now permit medical cannabis activity to some degree, including in Australia, where a survey was recently conducted and found that most people support incorporating medical cannabis into mainstream healthcare.

“The study – commissioned by Montu and conducted by private research firm the Online Research Unit – drew on responses from 1,000 Australians.” reported Cannabiz about the survey in its original coverage. “It found 64% backed incorporating medicinal cannabis into mainstream healthcare, while 66% believed their doctor understood how it could be used to treat specific conditions.”

“The survey showed 93.8% of respondents believed it improved access for people in rural and regional areas, while 75% said it enhanced access for Australians regardless of location.” the outlet also reported.

While medical cannabis policies have been modernized in recent years in Australia to permit the sales of certain products and therapies, a lot of stigma remains, and many suffering patients still go without safe access to medical cannabis, which is unfortunate.

In addition to pushing for further medical cannabis reforms in Australia, cannabis advocates continue to push for adult-use cannabis legalization as well. Recreational legalization has strong support in Australia.

Nearly half of Australian adults support modernizing the nation’s policies to permit adult-use cannabis activity, according to a recent poll conducted by Roy Morgan. The poll found that support for recreational cannabis legalization in Australia has increased by 15% over the last ten years.

“Opposition has fallen to 41%, also down 15 points since 2015 (from 56% and 49% in 2019), while 11% remain undecided. The latest figures reflect a decisive shift in national sentiment towards legalisation.” the pollsters stated.

“Over 69,000 Australians were asked: “In your opinion should the smoking of marijuana be made legal – or remain illegal?” from April 2024 to March 2025.” Roy Morgan also wrote on its website regarding their poll.

Similar to polls conducted in other regions, younger adults were more likely to express support for legalization. Fifty-four percent of Australians aged 18-24 indicated that they support such a policy change, and 58% of Australians aged 25-34 support legalization. For the 25-34 year old category, support has increased by 24% compared to a decade ago.

Only 36% of Australians aged 65 and over who were polled support legalization. However, that is an increase compared to 2019, when 33% in the age category expressed support. Forty-eight percent of Australians aged 50-64 who were polled support legalization, representing a 19% increase since 2019.