Policies

Cannabis

Up to 4,000 people are arrested in Victoria each year for personal possession of cannabis.

Close-up of a lush cannabis plant highlighting its vibrant green leaves under selective lighting.

Criminalising personal possession of cannabis is a waste of taxpayers’ money, a waste of police and court resources, and out of step with what the community wants.

10% of Victorians consume cannabis regularly[2] and 54% of Victorians support cannabis regulation.[3]

Prohibition is a failed cannabis policy. Cannabis remains the most widely used illicit substance in Australia, and organised crime controls an estimated 80% of the market. Legalising cannabis is better for consumers’ health, provides jobs and revenue for the state, and frees up court and police resources.

The majority of Victorians agree: it’s time we take a common sense, evidence-based approach to cannabis by regulating and legalising it.

Legalising and regulating cannabis

$10B

Legalising and regulating cannabis could add $10 billion to Victoria’s economy.[4]

17,000

Full-time jobs a legal, regulated market is estimated to create.[4]

90%

Of cannabis arrests are for consumers, not suppliers.[5]

$2.1B

Law enforcement of cannabis costs Australia $2.1 billion annually and disrupts only 3% of the total illicit market supply.[6]

red and green traffic light, with a cannabis leaf as the green light for the Cannabis Policies page

Other cannabis law reform policies

Medcan for veterans and first responders

Fund an evaluation of medicinal cannabis for veterans and first responders with work-related injuries, including PTSD.

Fair driving laws for medcan patients

Amend driving laws for medicinal cannabis patients, in line with the approach taken in NSW.

Prioritise supporting the local medicinal cannabis industry

Provide support to the local medicinal cannabis industry to ensure Victoria provides half of Australia’s medicinal cannabis by 2028.

Sources

[1] Rachel Payne MP, Victorian Legislative Council, 13 May 2026, citing Crime Statistics Agency data (five-year average of people arrested for cannabis possession only). Hansard

[2] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2022–2023. State and territory summaries

[3] Penington Institute, survey of more than 1,500 Victorians (November 2023): 54% in favour of a regulated cannabis market for adult use. A call for urgent cannabis policy reform in Victoria

[4] Penington Institute, Billions in the balance: the economic impact of cannabis regulation (July 2025): $10 billion in gross state product over a decade and more than 17,000 full-time equivalent jobs. Report summary

[5] Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, Illicit Drug Data Report 2020–21: 90% of cannabis arrests were consumer arrests. Illicit Drug Data Report

[6] Penington Institute, Cannabis in Australia 2024 (November 2024): $2.1 billion a year on cannabis law enforcement, with an estimated 2.6% of illicit cannabis seized. Cannabis in Australia 2024