Dr. Carmen Lim has raised alarm over the aggressive marketing strategies employed by medicinal cannabis clinics, which she claims are profiting from vulnerable young Australians. According to Dr. Lim, these clinics increasingly use targeted social media advertisements to draw in younger audiences, employing tactics such as memes, Black Friday promotions, and online competitions. This trend raises serious ethical questions around the marketing of medicine. It preys on a demographic that does not entirely grasp the consequences of using these products.
At these clinics, prescriptions are often issued like candy, and Dr. Lim advocates for a more cautious and thoughtful approach. She said the majority of her young patients get prescriptions without any in-depth questioning about their medical history. In particular, she highlighted cases like that of Hannah Wilson’s. As a Black teenager looking to get a prescription for her mental health, Hannah had a documented history of personal schizophrenia as well as schizophrenic psychosis.
“The cannabis industry is super lucrative, so it doesn’t make sense to fine them a few thousand dollars and let them get away with it,” – Dr. Lim
The Role of Targeted Advertising
Dr. Lim explained that clinics use demographic data and third-party cookies to target their ads to specific demographics. This new targeted approach has yielded a flood of ads that test the very limits of legality. Such ads frequently violate the rules that regulate ads for therapeutic goods.
She explained that certain ads not only push through ethical boundaries but could be considered criminal or bordering on criminality. Ads are getting louder, more aggressive and in our faces. This unprecedented wave is outpacing enforcement and increasingly leaving regulators one step behind the new tactics that clinics are using to evade regs.
“Advertisements for therapeutic goods must comply with the requirements in the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989,” – Therapeutic Goods Administration spokesperson
This growing concern is compounded by Dr. Lim’s belief that while medicinal cannabis can be justified for certain medical conditions, its prescription is not always warranted. She argued that when young patients self-diagnose, they are more likely to receive dangerous medical treatments.
Concerns Over Patient Safety
Hannah Wilson’s experience is just one example of the severe risks that can result from these misguided procedures. Hannah was able to walk out of her pharmacy with her prescription without a single question. None treated her psychosis or alcohol addiction, forcing her to discontinue use of medicinal cannabis after only three doses.
Since ending her use, Hannah has been bombarded with targeted online ads trying to lure her back. This aligns with Dr. Lim’s assertion that clinics use cryptic language and abstract representations of cannabis leaves to circumvent advertising laws, effectively targeting vulnerable individuals without clear accountability.
“I think we should find a way to take them down, because more young people are being affected,” – Dr. Lim
Hannah’s story raises critical questions for healthcare providers and advocates. It calls into question the efficacy of the existing regulatory frameworks established to protect the most vulnerable patients—our youth. To facilitate this, the Therapeutic Goods Administration has strongly encouraged members of the public to report suspected violations of advertising requirements using their online portal.
“Suspected breaches of advertising requirements can be reported via the TGA’s online portal,” – Therapeutic Goods Administration spokesperson
