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 Our outdated laws make criminals of decent, hardworking Australians, and perversely, create a huge illicit market run by organised crime.
About 700,000 Victorians consume illicit cannabis every year and around 9,000 of them face criminal penalties for doing so. Young people, Indigenous people and people from culturally diverse backgrounds are all over-represented in these statistics. In the interests of vulnerable communities and public health, we need to relax the laws.
PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE CALLS FOR CHANGE
On the 18th of March, 2025, the Legislative Council’s Legal and Social Issues Committee tabled a report on our bill, the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Amendment (Regulation of Personal Adult Use of Cannabis) Bill 2023, which would allow adults to:
- Consume cannabis in a private place
- Possess up to 50g of cannabis in a public place
- Grow up to six cannabis plants at home
- Share small amounts of cannabis with friends or people they care for
The report made 10 findings and seven recommendations. It urged the Victorian Government to draw on the experience of the ACT, which decriminalised personal use of cannabis in 2019, and consider adopting a similar approach. It is now up to the government to respond within six months.
This shift in the conversation is a huge opportunity for lawmakers to seriously consider ending cannabis prohibition in Victoria. But we need your help!
Watch the public hearings and find out more about the inquiry here.
TAKE ACTION
You can help us by:
- Writing to the Premier
- Writing to your local member
- Sharing our message on social media
- Talking to your friends and families about the harms of criminalisation
Once and for all, we must stop the criminalisation of cannabis consumers. We need to reduce harm, reduce stigma and reduce the economic and social burden of prohibition.
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
