Victoria’s alcohol and other drug testing regime fails employers and employees, discriminates against Victorian workers on prescription medication and puts Victorian workplaces at risk.
Victoria’s out-of-date and inconsistent legislation leads to discrepancies in workplace drug testing, leaving thousands of medicinal cannabis patients exposed to unfair dismissal.
That’s why last year, we initiated the inquiry into workplace drug testing. The subsequent report recommended an overhaul of Victoria’s alcohol and other drugs legislation and policies.
Since its legalisation in 2016, medicinal cannabis has helped thousands of workers treat conditions such as chronic pain, sleep disorders and anxiety.
But nurses, teachers, tradies, transport workers, frontline staff and emergency workers told us that drug testing practices meant that they could not take their medication.
Law abiding Victorian workers experience discrimination and victimisation 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! One of the key recommendations of the inquiry was for WorkSafe to update its guidelines.
Star AFL coaches threw their weight behind our campaign
Our campaign to uphold the rights and dignity of every worker featured in the Herald Sun and on Channel 7’s Sunrise.
On 30 July 2025, the Parliament debated our motion calling on the government to address the inherent discrimination in our workplace drug testing framework.
After a very positive debate, the government supported our motion and it was carried with a vote of 20 to 13.
What happens now?
As a result of this support, we look forward to the government releasing legislation and regulation very soon to address this issue.
We’ll continue to keep pressure on the government to reform our outdated AOD laws and will share further updates via social media.
A BIG thank you to everyone for their ongoing support of the campaign. Especially those who shared their personal stories of experiencing workplace discrimination due to their medicinal cannabis use.
You can help us by writing to the Premier, Hon. Jacinta Allan, the Minister for Worksafe, Hon. Ben Carroll and the Attorney General, Hon. Sonya Kilkenny urging them to introduce necessary legislation and regulation as soon as possible.
Let’s keep up the pressure to end medical discrimination in the workplace!
Useful links:
> Template email to Premier/Ministers
> Protect Patient Rights Info Sheet
> Our motion
> Summary of Inquiry recommendations
