2026 marks ten years since medicinal cannabis was legalised in Australia. To reflect on how far the industry has come, and where it’s headed next, we’re speaking with the people helping shape it. From early advocates, to scientific leaders working behind the scenes, this series captures the journeys, lessons, and hopes defining the first, and the next, decade of medicinal cannabis.
About Paul O’Donoghue
Paul O’Donoghue is an educator, podcaster, and medicinal cannabis patient whose work sits at the intersection of cannabis use and mental health. He began his career in the Canadian cannabis industry during the early years of federal legalisation, before returning to Australia to advocate for more thoughtful drug policy and improved patient journeys.
He founded Give & Toke, a podcast and brand aimed at reducing stigma and elevating conversations around cannabis. Through this platform, Paul elevates the voices of patients, clinicians, policymakers, and industry leaders, to encourage more honest, culturally aware discussions about cannabis use.
The Australian medicinal cannabis community is ten years young. How did you first find your way into this space?
I came to medicinal cannabis looking for answers.
Like a lot of people, my early relationship with cannabis existed in the grey space between stigma and self-discovery. When medicinal access became possible in Australia, it reframed the plant for me completely. It went from something you had to justify using, to something that could be used with intention, safety, and support.
Over time, that personal experience turned into curiosity, and then responsibility. I started Give & Toke as a way to normalise conversations that felt missing at the time; patient voices, culture, humour, and honesty.
Today, I sit in a space where I work within and respect highly regulated frameworks while still advocating for patients, authenticity, and greater access. That balance has shaped my journey.
What is the most meaningful lesson the cannabis plant has taught you?
The most meaningful lesson I’ve learned is that cannabis is deeply personal. The same plant can be grounding for one person, overwhelming for another, and ineffective for someone else entirely. That taught me early on that cannabis isn’t about chasing strength or trends, but about understanding context, the person, the condition, the dose, the delivery method, and even the environment it’s used in.
It also taught me humility. Cannabis is not a panacea, but when it’s respected and used intentionally, it can be an incredibly supportive tool.
I hope we move beyond treating cannabis as either a miracle or a menace, and instead treat it as a legitimate therapeutic and/or social option that deserves thoughtful regulation, honest education, and compassion for the people using it.
What three words capture your hopes for cannabis in Australia over the next ten years?
Access, trust and maturity.
To learn more about the work Paul is doing, you can follow Give & Toke on Instagram or see more online at giveandtoke.com.au. You can also shop Give & Toke accessories online at Astrid Alchemy.
The views, opinions, and statements expressed in this article are solely those of the individual contributor and do not represent, and should not be attributed to, Astrid. Astrid makes no claims. Contributors are not our patients – their experiences are shared with the sole intent to inform their inspiration behind driving change in the sector through their advocacy, research, or policy contributions.
