Two companies running medical cannabis clinics have been fined for targeting cancer and epilepsy patients through advertisements on their websites and social media platforms.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration states that the Australian Institute of Medicinal Cannabis Pty Ltd and the Biologics Research Institute Australia Pty Ltd, based in New South Wales, have promoted the use of medical cannabis products that were not registered and only dispensed by agreement.
The government regulator says the announcement included unapproved references to serious diseases or conditions, including cancer and epilepsy.
Some advertisements also suggested or implied that certain medical cannabis products were recommended or approved by a government authority, the TGA said.
Prescription medicines cannot be advertised to the public in Australia.
The Australian Institute of Medicinal Cannabis was fined $ 106,560 and the Biologics Research Institute Australia was fined $ 133,200.