Health experts, policy advisors, doctors, and members of the public have appeared before a NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into cannabis.
The inquiry was established in March and held its first hearing yesterday. It’s tasked with examining the historical and socioeconomic impacts of the state’s current cannabis laws.
The inquiry received over 300 submissions.
Here’s what you need to know.
The Inquiry
The inquiry has opened the floor for different stakeholders to understand the impacts cannabis laws have had on communities.
It’ll hear from young people, the health system, employment services, police, safety officers, and other members of the community.
The committee is chaired by Legalise Cannabis Party MP Jeremy Buckingham, who says the committee will “consider alternative regimes of cannabis regulation.”
NSW Government
On the first day of the inquiry, NSW Premier Chris Minns told reporters he’s ruled out decriminalising recreational cannabis, saying his Government won’t “break an election commitment.”
However, it will host a four-day drug summit later this year. The program will include talks in Sydney and regional NSW. It’s expected to bring together community leaders and lawmakers to discuss improving health outcomes “for people impacted by drugs and alcohol”.
Advocates
The NSW Council for Civil Liberties is a human rights advocacy group that’s made repeated calls for cannabis decriminalisation and regulation across Australia.
Its former president Nicholas Cowdery told the inquiry that cannabis charges “burden” the courts and disproportionately impact First Nations people.
“The community experiences little benefit from the attempt to reduce the prevalence of a substance that remains so widely available, despite its illegality,” Cowdery said.
Cannabis reform
Cannabis reform is also being considered in Victoria.
The state will consider introducing legal protections for unimpaired drivers who use medicinal cannabis.
Tasmania is the only state with this kind of legislation in Australia.
Discussions around medicinal reform in Victoria come after the state launched a trial earlier this year, to study the effects of medicinal cannabis on driving.
NSW MP Jeremy Buckingham has welcomed the move by the Victorian Government.
He has called on other states to consider similar reforms.
“Medical cannabis has been legal since 2016 and the law needs to reflect that.”
“No-one is defending people who get behind the wheel when they are impaired… All we are asking for is the same defence in court for medical cannabis users as already exists for those prescribed opiates,” Buckingham said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was asked about the NSW inquiry this week but declined to comment.
The PM called the issue a State Government responsibility.
The inquiry’s last hearing is currently scheduled for 20 August.
