Protect Patient Rights

Victoria’s out-of-date and inconsistent legislation leads to discrepancies in workplace drug testing, leaving thousands of medicinal cannabis patients exposed to unfair dismissal. 

Since its legalisation in 2016, medicinal cannabis has helped thousands of workers treat conditions such as chronic pain, sleep disorders and anxiety.  

Nurses, teachers, tradies, transport workers, frontline staff and emergency workers all tell us that taking medicinal cannabis enables them to function at work. In fact, it makes them better employees because they are able to sleep and manage their pain effectively so they can do their jobs. 

Unfortunately, many current workplace drug tests only screen for the presence of illicit drugs.  

With no way to differentiate between medicinal cannabis and illicit cannabis, unimpaired workers face severe penalties, including losing their jobs, for testing positive for even a trace of THC.  

Law abiding Victorian workers are being discriminated against just because they follow their doctor’s advice

WorkSafe’s guidance on developing workplace AOD policies was last reviewed in 2014, four years before medicinal cannabis was legalised! It contains no information on medicinal cannabis and needs urgent updating. 

The recent parliament inquiry into workplace drug testing recommended an overhaul of Victoria’s alcohol and other drugs legislation and policies. The government’s response to these recommendations is now overdue.  

This lack of action is hurting Victorian workers.  

On 30 July 2025, the Parliament will debate our motion calling on the government to act now to address the inherent discrimination in our workplace drug testing framework.