The Australian Medical Association has distanced itself from a new relaxed drugs approach being pushed by the Greens, saying it underestimates the harm illicit drugs do to the community.

Association president Michael Gannon told Fairfax Media he welcomed any initiative that shifted the public conversation about illicit drugs towards rehabilitation and treatment instead of policing and the justice system.

But he said he was "wary" of any push towards decriminalising illicit drugs, including cannabis.

"We should not underestimate the harm that illicit drugs do everyday in our community," Dr Gannon said on Sunday.