6th February 2024 13:51
Victorian Legislative Council, Melbourne

Rachel PAYNE (South-Eastern Metropolitan)

Thank You President.
I give notice that on the next day of meeting I will move That this House notes that –

1) Victoria continues to criminalise thousands of Victorians for the possession of cannabis.

2) In the 2022/2023 financial year, there were 5474 proven charges for possession of cannabis.

3) only 341 cases involving a charge for the offense of possession of cannabis had a diversion plan imposed.

and calls on the government to acknowledge that the criminalisation of cannabis has failed and continues to unnecessarily force thousands of Victorians into the criminal justice system.

[ENDS]