Monday, the 24th of February 2025
Southeast Metro MP Rachel Payne has secured a state parliament review of the pros and cons of allowing people to possess small amounts of cannabis.
Ms Payne, a member of Legalise Cannabis Victoria and Southeast resident, wants adults to be able to possess small quantities of cannabis for personal use and grow up to six plants at home without fear of prosecution.
“Parliament’s Legal and Social Issues Committee is reviewing my Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Amendment (Regulation of Personal Adult Use of Cannabis) Bill 2023,” Ms Payne said.
“I’m a member of that committee and on Friday, 14 February, it held a public hearing, and an array of experts appeared.
“More than 50 groups have also made written submissions. That includes professors, trade unions, individuals, and lawyers from community legal services.
Current laws unfairly target low income, First Nations and LGBTQIA+ individuals
“We already know that low-income, LGBTIQ+ and First Nations people are more likely to be arrested on cannabis charges than members of the broader community.
“But are you aware that thousands of people are still arrested on cannabis charges every year – and more than 95% of arrests are just for personal possession?
“In Victoria, in the year to September 2021, there were almost 9,000 people charged with cannabis use and possession offences. I think that is outrageous and a ridiculous waste of police resources. It’s time to let adults be adults and make their own choices.
“The research shows that prohibiting cannabis doesn’t stop people consuming it. It only gives control of the illicit cannabis market to criminal gangs.”
Ms Payne said about $2 billion is spent policing cannabis every year in Australia.
“The Victorian committee is also looking at the laws in the Australian Capital Territory, where there’s been no penalty for possessing or using small amounts of cannabis since 2020,” she said.
“This is clearly relevant, given my bill proposes something similar for Victoria.
“I cannot pre-empt the Victorian inquiry findings, but the ACT government released a report last year that found the ACT law change has diverted thousands of people away from the criminal justice system.
“The review also found no reason to re-criminalise the personal possession of cannabis in the capital territory.
“I am so glad that a Victorian parliamentary committee is looking closely at this. The committee members even went to Canberra on a fact-finding tour. Clearly, there is a bipartisan appetite for expert advice.
“The committee will release its report on the bill review on March 18, and could recommend that the law be changed to allow personal possession. The Allan Government should respond to any recommendations by September.
80% of Australians support decriminalisation
“Of course, we’re hoping the government will be open to changing laws prohibiting the personal possession of cannabis. Support for decriminalising is at an all-time high. In the last National Drug Strategy Household Survey, 80 per cent of Australians said that possession of cannabis should not be a criminal offence – that equates to roughly four and a half million Victorians.
“Last year Legalise Cannabis Victoria presented a petition to parliament signed by around 3,000 people demanding that consumption and possession of small quantities of cannabis be allowed.
“It only took our team a handful of days to collect the signatures – a testament to just how many people are sick and tired of the irrational and nonsensical state laws prohibiting cannabis.”
Related:
> Motion to Refer the (Regulation of Personal Adult Use of Cannabis) Bill 2023 to a Bill Inquiry – Rachel Payne
> New discretion for Vic magistrates when medicinal cannabis script holders are unimpaired while driving – Rachel Payne
> Cannabis regulation for economic growth – Rachel Payne
> That’s a Wrap! Legalise Cannabis Victoria 2024 – Rachel Payne
