On 12 August 2026, Legalise Cannabis Victoria’s proposal to give Victorians a direct say on cannabis legalisation through a statewide plebiscite was defeated in the Legislative Council.
Labor and Liberal-National MPs voted against the motion, while the Greens, Libertarian and Animal Justice MPs voting in support.
The motion was introduced by my colleague, Rachel Payne, and was a simple bid to give Victorians the opportunity to have their voices heard on the issue of cannabis legalisation. After nearly a century of cannabis prohibition, it is clear that the current approach is failing. For almost 100 years we have spent enormous public resources policing cannabis use, yet cannabis remains the most widely used illicit substance in Australia.
Prohibition has not eliminated use, nor has it dismantled the black market. Instead, it has created unnecessary harms while wasting valuable justice resources.
Legalise Cannabis Victoria put forward the case that the community is ready for change. Research consistently shows around 80 per cent of Victorians supporting an end to the criminalisation of cannabis. The question before Parliament was not whether cannabis should be legalised immediately. It was simply whether Victorians themselves should be given a say.
Cannabis criminalisation continues to devastate lives
Almost 4000 Victorians get arrested every year for posessing a small amount of cannabis, resulting in a criminal record. The consequences of this can extend to employment, housing, education and future interactions with the justice system. These impacts fall disproportionately on young people, working-class communities, First Nations people and culturally diverse communities. The evidence is clear: contact with the criminal justice system often creates more harm than the conduct being punished.
Let’s be clear. Legalise Cannabis Victoria has never claimed cannabis is harmless. Like any drug, cannabis carries risks and potential harms. People experiencing problematic cannabis use should have access to health services, treatment and support. But criminalisation is not a health response.
Arresting someone, charging them and burdening them with a criminal record does nothing to improve their wellbeing. In many cases, it makes their situation worse.
The reality is that communities across the world are recognising the failure of prohibition and moving towards regulated frameworks that prioritise public health and reduce organised crime. Meanwhile, Victoria continues to devote police resources to pursuing people for possessing or cultivating small amounts of cannabis while serious criminal activity demands greater attention.
Direct democracy can rebuild trust in politics
What disappointed me most during the debate was the reluctance of the major parties to engage with the central issue: democracy. When a substantial majority of Victorians support reform, why are they being denied the opportunity to express that view formally? Whether politicians personally support legalisation or not, surely we should trust the public to participate in the conversation and help shape the future of cannabis policy.
While our motion was defeated, the debate is far from over. Attitudes are changing, evidence continues to mount against failed prohibition policies, and community support for reform remains strong. Legalise Cannabis Victoria will continue advocating for a sensible, health-focused approach to cannabis and for policies that reduce harm rather than create it.
Ultimately, I believe this is a simple question: do we trust Victorians to decide? I do. The major parties may have voted down this opportunity, but sooner or later they will have to confront the reality that the community really is ready for change.
It’s time to let Victorians decide.
You can watch the full debate below.
