Rachel Payne MP has pressed the Minister for Agriculture on how the Victorian Government is actually supporting the growth of the state’s medicinal cannabis industry. She argues its own development plan needs to translate into real, accessible support for local businesses.
Rachel Payne MP has moved a motion in Parliament calling on the Victorian Government to put cannabis legalisation directly to the people
Rachel asked the Minister for Roads and Road Safety for an update on the 18-month medicinal cannabis driving trial.
Rachel announced the launch of her new podcast, ‘My Joint’. On My Joint, honest conversations replace stigma. As the podcast demonstrates, the cannabis community is diverse, and cannabis consumers cannot be typecasted. Each week, Rachel sits down with experts, advocates, and everyday Australians to unpack the myths, realities, and the future of cannabis.
Rachel spoke on a bill presented by her Legalise Cannabis Victoria colleague, David Ettershank MP. The Equal Opportunity Amendment (Medical Treatment) Bill 2026 amends the Equal Opportunity Act to prevent discrimination on the grounds of treatment for a medical condition. While this would encapsulate discrimination against medicinal cannabis patients, it is inclusive of all types of medication prescribed to treat a medical condition. If passed, this bill would include lawful protections against treatment-based discrimination in a variety of settings including employment, education, community clubs, accommodation and more.
Preliminary evidence suggests that medicinal cannabis could be a beneficial treatment option for opioid use disorder. Rachel asked the Minister for Health if the government would support greater investment into medicinal cannabis research, including its potential as a treatment for opioid use disorder.
Rachel requested that the Minister advocates for greater support for medicinal cannabis industry growers and suppliers in Victoria.
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.
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.
