On world cannabis day – 420 – Australia’s cannabis advocates called on the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader to change archaic laws that needlessly funnel thousands of Aussies into the criminal justice system every year.
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.
Police were on the ground, enforcing the current cannabis laws. There were also legal observers in the Gardens to support people around their rights and responsibilities.
The two MPs said Canada, Germany, South Africa, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, South Africa, Thailand, and Uruguay, in all 10 countries plus 24 US states have legalised recreational cannabis use, it’s time Victoria also came to its senses
“Research shows about one in ten Australians have consumed illicit cannabis over the past year – that’s some 2.6 million Aussies, and according to a major health survey 80 per cent of Australians want it decriminalised,” Mr Ettershank said.
Money lost policing illegal cannabis trade
Ms Payne said that by criminalising cannabis, $5 billion is directed to the 600 organised crime groups.
“These groups control the country’s cannabis trade, and the profits are then used to buy harder drugs and illegal firearms. Criminals are delighted that Australia bans cannabis,” she said.
“It costs police and the courts around $2 billion dollars a year to enforce this crazy prohibition.
That’s money that could be spent combatting other crimes like assault and theft.
“And the authorities only seize 2.6 per cent of the market. You can always buy weed.”
The two MPs were joined by the Victorian senate candidate for Legalise Cannabis, Fiona Patten at 420.
Ms Patten said each cannabis arrest costs on average $1900.
“On April 20, I call on Prime Minister Albanese and Opposition Leader Dutton to explain why these outdated laws remain in place,” Ms Patten said.
*April 20 – the fourth month of the year and 20th day of the month – is the date cannabis has been celebrated around the world since 1971. Urban myth is that 420 was previously the Californian police code for cannabis infringements, and 4.20pm was also the time when the young and renowned San Rafael growers daily met.
**According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare National Survey 11.5 per cent of Australians have consumed cannabis in the past 12 months, equating to 2.6 million people.
***According to the 2023 Penington Institute Report there were 66,285 cannabis- related arrests in 2020-21
KEY CONSIDERATIONS
Between 2018 and 2023 (six years), the Victorian Crime Statistics Agency reported 64,754 cannabis-related offences.
There have been more than 700,000 arrests in Australia for cannabis-related offences since 2010. Of that more than 90 per cent of the arrests were just for possessing or consuming.
The most likely age group to use cannabis are 18- to 24-year-olds and an arrest can hurt a young person’s access to employment, travel and housing. The consequences of being arrested can change the course of a life.
First Nations people are eight times more likely to be arrested on a cannabis charge, in Victoria and half as likely as other Australians to get a caution. Low-income, culturally diverse, LGBTIQ+ and regional people are also over-represented in cannabis-related arrests.
The Australian Capital Territory is the only Australian jurisdiction to have legalised cannabis.
Since 2020, the ACT allows individuals to legally possess up to 50g of dried cannabis or 150g of fresh cannabis and to grow up to 4 plants at home. The rate of cannabis use in the ACT is lower than the rest of Australia. Cannabis use has remained stable since the law was changed. In 2022–2023, 8.7 per cent or people reported using cannabis in the previous 12 months, consistent with use since 2007 which has ranged between 8.4 per cent
Published 6th of May, 2025
Resources
> LCV: Free up police to fight crime – decriminalise cannabis as NEW parliamentary report recommends – Rachel Payne
> Southeast MP secures inquiry into relaxing cannabis laws in Victoria – Rachel Payne
> Motion to Refer the (Regulation of Personal Adult Use of Cannabis) Bill 2023 to a Bill Inquiry – Rachel Payne
