Legalise Cannabis Victoria is appealing to the Allan Government to implement the recommendations of a parliamentary report to decriminalise the possession of small amounts of cannabis.
LCV MP Rachel Payne said decriminalising would free up police resources to focus on real crime like home invasions, assaults and car thefts
The new cross-party report, released on Tuesday, March 18, recommends that Victoria learn from the Australian Capital Territory and decriminalises the possession of small amounts of cannabis.
Ms Payne said the report found decriminalising cannabis in the ACT saw no corresponding increase in cannabis use or demand on the health system.
“The ACT reforms saw a fall in the level of policing for personal use and possession of more than 90 percent” Ms Payne said.
“If Victoria follows and decriminalises small amounts, it means our police no longer have to waste their time, energy and resources policing personal cannabis possession. According to the last AIHW National Drug Strategy Household Survey, 80 per cent of Australians believe possessing cannabis should no longer be a criminal offence.
“A major finding of this report is that it’s time for ‘a different approach’ – stop criminalising people and focus on harm reduction.”
Report stems from inquiry that listened to the experts
Ms Payne said the report stems from a parliamentary committee inquiry held in February, which heard from academics, lawyers, addiction experts and trade unions – and received more than 50 submissions.
“The report said we need an approach that reduces the stigma around cannabis,” she said.
“Young people, First Nations, LGBTQ+ and people from lower-socio economic groups are overrepresented among people charged for possessing and consuming small amounts of cannabis.
“Redirecting people away from the criminal justice system will reduce pain and suffering for many.”
Government needs to act on recommendations
Ms Payne is calling on the government to act on the recommendations so thousands of Victorians will not be charged with possession of cannabis every year.
“In Victoria, in the year to September 2021, there were almost 9,000 people charged with cannabis use and possession offences – accounting for 92 per cent of all cannabis offences in Victoria during that period,” Ms Payne said.
Fellow MP David Ettershank said the review specifically looked at the merits of a bill Ms Payne introduced in 2023 to allow adults to legally possess small quantities of cannabis for personal use – the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Amendment (Regulation of Personal Adult Use of Cannabis) Bill 2023.
“That bill would let people aged over 18 years to possess small quantities of cannabis for personal use and grow up to six plants at home,” he said.
Minimise harm, stop enriching criminals
Mr Ettershank said the report recognised that prohibition had not reduced the demand for cannabis or stopped criminal activity and called for cannabis use to be treated as a public health issue instead,” he said.
“The Penington Institute values the illicit cannabis market in Australia at $5 billion. That is money going into the pockets of criminals.”
Other recommendations include:
- A five-year review (if cannabis laws are changed) which includes monitoring and an evaluation process
- Making it a requirement to store cannabis in a secure manner and away from children
- The government consider a scheme to expunge prior minor cannabis possession convictions
- The government investigates opportunities to improve access to cannabis plant testing for impurities, including through integration into their fixed site drug testing service
- The banning of cultivating of cannabis using hydroponic techniques or equipment.
Related:
> Report released on inquiry into Personal Adult Use of Cannabis – Rachel Payne
> Regulation of Personal Adult Use of Cannabis – Rachel Payne
> Regulation of Personal Adult Use of Cannabis Bill 2023 – First Reading – Rachel Payne
> LEGALISE IT. – Rachel Payne
