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.
Time’s up for archaic workplace drug testing laws
Rachel spoke on Legalise Cannabis Victoria’s motion to progress recommendations on workplace drug testing. The current workplace drug testing model is punitive and discriminates against medicinal cannabis patients. In 2023, Rachel participated in the Inquiry into Workplace drug testing, which was initiated by a motion moved by Legalise Cannabis Victoria. Recommendations were handed down subsequent to this inquiry, that are yet to be implemented by the Government.
Medicinal cannabis driving amendments – Committee debate
Rachel asked the Legislative Council to consider Legalise Cannabis Victoria’s amendments to the Roads and Ports Legislation (Road Safety and Other Matters) Bill 2025. These amendments would afford drivers who are prescribed medicinal cannabis the same freedom as those on other legal prescriptions, given that they are not impaired. While these crucial amendments were supported by the Greens and several crossbenchers, they were ultimately negatived.
Let medicinal cannabis patients drive
Rachel made a contribution to the Roads and Ports Legislation Amendment (Road Safety and Other Matters) Bill 2025. On behalf of Legalise Cannabis Victoria, Rachel proposed amendments, advocating that medicinal cannabis that does not impair driving must be treated in the same manner as other prescription drugs.
On world cannabis day, Aussie advocates called on Albo and Dutton to repeal archaic laws
On April 20, Victorian Legalise Cannabis MPs David Ettershank and Rachel Payne joined members of the cannabis community in Melbourne’s Flagstaff Gardens for a peaceful protest against the laws that waste the time and resources of police and magistrates.
New discretion for Vic magistrates when medicinal cannabis script holders are unimpaired while driving
Legalise Cannabis Victoria has secured an amendment in the Upper House to allow magistrates to exercise sentencing discretion for drivers who test positive for the cannabinoid chemical tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), if they hold a valid prescription for medicinal cannabis and are unimpaired while driving.
Motion to Refer the (Regulation of Personal Adult Use of Cannabis) Bill 2023 to a Bill Inquiry
Rachel referred her Regulation of Personal Adult Use of Cannabis Bill 2023, to the Legal and Social Issues Committee for an inquiry.
Employees prescribed medicinal cannabis sacked for taking legal medication
A new Victorian report into workplace drug testing has found that employees prescribed medicinal cannabis have routinely lost their job or faced disciplinary action just for taking a legal medication – and the law must be amended to protect them.
Inquiry into Workplace Drug Testing in Victoria
On Tuesday 27th of August 2024, Rachel Payne, member for South-Eastern Metropolitan Melbourne, made her contribution to the tabling of the government’s workplace drug testing report.
Legal defence for driving medicinal cannabis patients
Rachel moved a motion, which if passed would allow medicinal cannabis patients a legal defence, if they test positive for THC at a roadside drug test but are not impaired.