Cannabis and the Victorian AOD Strategy
Rachel asked the Minister for Mental Health where the decriminalisation of cannabis fits into the Victorian Alcohol and Other Drugs Strategy 2025 – 2035.
Prescribed ≠ Impaired
Rachel questioned the Minister for Police on the criminalisation of medicinal cannabis patients via roadside drug-testing. Unlike with other prescription medications, medicinal cannabis patients risk charges if a positive THC result is produced in a roadside drug test.
Labor’s glaring hypocrisy on cannabis reform
Rachel spoke on a motion by Legalise Cannabis Victoria. The motion was a response to the Labor government’s continued criminalisation of cannabis. Rachel urged the Victorian Labor government to reconsider its position on cannabis decriminalisation, noting previous endorsement by Victorian Labor Members.
Cannabis for women’s pain management
During World Menopause Month, Rachel hosted a forum on women’s health in her electorate. The forum centred around the benefits of cannabis for managing pain symptoms from conditions including endometriosis and menopause. She noted the stigma that many women face when accessing or speaking about medicinal cannabis for pain management, as opposed to other medications such as opioids.
‘Weak and cowardly’ government reject cannabis reform
Rachel spoke on the government’s response to the Inquiry into the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Amendment (Regulation of Personal Adult Use of Cannabis) Bill 2023. Despite working with the government in good faith, recommendations from the inquiry have been rejected. Rachel called the government out for “lacking courage” and misdirecting a “tough on crime” approach by continuing to waste millions of dollars prosecuting individuals for possessing small quantities of cannabis.
Millions wasted on cannabis arrests while state debt rises
Rachel questioned Victorian Treasurer Jaclyn Symes on the cost of continued cannabis criminalisation. Rachel noted that enforcing criminalisation costs Australia $4.66 million per day, while failing to legalise facilitates a booming black-market trade.
In Conversation: Women’s Health and Cannabis
On Wednesday the 8th of October, Rachel hosted a community health forum ‘In Conversation: Exploring Women’s Health and Cannabis’. From menstrual pain to menopause, cannabis is changing the conversation around women’s health. Watch Rachel and expert panellists, Tegan Scates and Lisa Nguyen, put the misinformation aside and talk about the science, stigma, and lived experience of women who use cannabis.
Cannabis criminalisation: Arresting our community’s most vulnerable
Rachel asked a question on behalf of a constituent. Like so many others, Rachel’s constituent uses cannabis for pain management. Given the Government’s recent rejection of cannabis reform recommendations, Rachel inquired on the criminalisation of vulnerable community members.
Cannabis decriminalisation frees up police resources
Rachel called on the Minister for Police to decriminalise cannabis. Violent crimes have taken precedence in allocation of police resources. However, cannabis arrests are still occurring, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people statistically overrepresented. Decriminalisation would ensure that police resources can be prioritised where they are most needed.
Cannabis reform: “It’s time”
Rachel presented a member’s statement on her attendance to the 2025 David Penington Oration. This year’s oration was presented by former Magistrate of the Victorian Drug court, Tony Parsons.