The national medicines watchdog is suing two Australian cannabis companies for allegedly unlawfully advertising medicinal cannabis, including implying that the products had been endorsed by the regulator and health practitioners.

Better Leaf Pty Ltd and Better Life Pty Ltd and their former sole director, Jack Weisberg, have been accused of contravening the Therapeutic Goods Act by advertising medicinal cannabis on their website, Facebook and Instagram pages and physical pamphlets.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), in a statement on Tuesday afternoon, said it had commenced proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia against the companies and Weisberg after issuing repeated warnings and multiple infringement notices, which were not paid.

“The companies allegedly promoted the use of medicinal cannabis for the treatment of serious diseases, conditions and disorders,” which fall under restricted representation or prohibited representations not permitted in advertising for therapeutic goods unless approved by the TGA, the regulator’s statement read.

Between November 11 2022 and May 21 2025, the ads allegedly suggested medicinal cannabis could treat mental illness and neoplastic disease.

They also allegedly included representations of autism as well as chronic pain, insomnia, endometriosis, sleep conditions, chemotherapy-induced nausea and other ailments.

The ads allegedly also implied that medicinal cannabis had been approved or recommended by or on behalf of the TGA and included endorsements from current or former health practitioners, the statement continued.

The TGA also alleged that Weisberg, in his capacity as the business manager or sole director of both companies, was personally liable for the alleged contraventions.

Weisberg – who throughout the relevant period was Better Leaf’s business manager and Better Life’s sole director, secretary and shareholder – did not respond to requests for comment by this masthead’s deadline.

In TGA’s Notice of Filing to the Federal Court, the regulator said that alleged unlawful ads for medicinal cannabis posed a risk to public health and safety in circumstances where its safety, quality and efficacy as a treatment for serious medical conditions had not yet been the subject of extensive research or clinical trials.

“[T]herefore, users may suffer adverse medical outcomes from their use,” the notice read.

“[T]here is a risk that consumers who use such products may cease, delay or avoid conventional treatments and thereby suffer adverse medical outcomes,” it continued. “[S]uch products can have acute and long-term adverse side effects, including an adverse effect on the metabolism and on the actions of other medicines, which can result in adverse medical outcomes.”

The TGA also noted the risk of cannabis dependence.

“If the contravening advertising is not penalised it may cause other entities and individuals who supply medicinal cannabis products to advertise medicinal cannabis in contravention of the Act [and] may encourage other entities to similarly disregard TGA enforcement action,” the notice read.

The current owners of Better Leaf Brunswick Dispensary and Speciality Pharmacy said they have no relationship with Weisberg or the companies named by the TGA, and are not in a position to comment on the allegations. The TGA has not alleged wrongdoing of the current owners in their filing.