Our current laws aren’t just ineffective and outdated, they actually derail people’s lives. About 700,000 Victorians consume illicit cannabis every year and around 9,000 of them face criminal penalties for doing so. Nationally we spend around $3.5 billion a year on police and court costs to continue the failed war on drugs. It just doesn’t make sense and the community demands better. It’s time for a sensible approach to cannabis.
OUR OUTDATED LAWS MAKE CRIMINALS OF DECENT, HARDWORKING AUSTRALIANS, AND PERVERSELY, CREATE A HUGE ILLICIT MARKET RUN BY ORGANISED CRIME
There have been over 700,000 arrests in Australia for cannabis-related offences since 2010. Over 90% of these arrests were merely for possessing or consuming cannabis. Young people, Indigenous people and people from culturally diverse backgrounds are all over-represented in these statistics. In the interests of vulnerable comunities and public health, we need to relax the laws.
That’s why in 2023, we introduced a Bill which would allow adults to:
- Consume cannabis in a private place
- Possess up to 50g in a public place
- Grow up to six plants at home
- Share small amounts of cannabis with friends or people they care for.
PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE INVESTIGATING OUR MODEL FOR CHANGE
A parliamentary committee is examining our bill to decriminalise cannabis for personal use and legalise private growing of cannabis plants. The committee is also considering the impacts of the A.C.T.’s decriminalisation of cannabis.
As per a resolution of the Legislative Council on September 11, 2024, the Legal and Social Issues committee will table a report on the bill by 18 March 2025. The report will produce a series of findings and recommendations. It will then be up to the government to respond within six months.
This inquiry is a huge opportunity for MPs across the political spectrum to seriously consider ending cannabis prohibition in Victoria. Stay informed and look out for opportunities to get involved!
Watch the public hearings and find out more about the inquiry here.
REGISTER YOUR SUPPORT
The harms created by the criminalisation of cannabis continue to hurt decent, hardworking Victorians. That is why it is so important that we continue to pressure the government to act.
Whether it’s a letter to the Premier or your local member, using your voice on social media or in your community — every bit of advocacy helps to make change!
The conversation around cannabis is changing, and we want you to be a part of it!
We know that over 80% of people support cannabis no longer being a criminal offence, and we need politicians to catch up.
Do you believe that cannabis reform is long overdue? Then SIGN UP to get involved!
Related Resources
> Watch the public hearings
> Media Release: Legalise Cannabis introduces Bill in three states
> Regulation of Personal Adult Use of Cannabis Bill 2023
> The ACT’s legislative review of cannabis decriminalisation
