Meet The Team
A team of advocates have joined forces to be the voice for cannabis law reform Australia-wide.
PROFESSOR DAVID HEILPERN
Dean and Chair of Law, Southern Cross University, Drive Change Lead
David Heilpern was a Magistrate and judicial trainer from 1998 to 2020. Prior to this appointment, David was a litigation lawyer on the North Coast where he co-founded the law school at SCU in 1992.
DR DAVID GUNN
Harm Reduction General Practitioner | MD, CCFP, FRACGP
Dr David Gunn is a Canadian-trained GP with over 20 years of clinical experience spanning emergency medicine, long-term care, opioid agonist therapy (OAT), and complex general practice. Based in the Northern Rivers of New South Wales, he works primarily with patients living with chronic pain, trauma, substance use, polypharmacy, and mental health challenges—often in combination.
Dr Gunn has contributed to RACGP-accredited education, national Schedule 8 policy discussions, and the development of a low-dose oral cannabinoid medication. He works within a multidisciplinary team alongside addiction specialists, physicians, and psychologists.
He is also a long-time supporter of Harm Reduction Australia and other initiatives aimed at improving access, safety, and dignity in healthcare.