The Australian Government brought focus to the emerging importance of cannabis use, and the need to bring together a group of expert individuals and organisations to focus on this effort, by creating the National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre (NCPIC) in 2007.

Cannabis remains the most widely used illicit substance in Australia today. Approximately 5.8 million Australians aged 14 years and over have tried cannabis at least once during their lives, and 1.9 million have used cannabis in the past year. A range of health and social harm associated with cannabis use have been identified over the last decade. It has been estimated that there are at least 200,000 people dependent on cannabis in Australia. About one in ten people who have tried cannabis at least once in their lifetimes will become dependent on the drug.

NCPIC will engage with jurisdictional and national senior decision-makers in health, education, and criminal justice to maximise the Centre's relevance and reach. Activities include an interactive website and social marketing strategy for the widest possible national dissemination of the key messages and interventions.