Parliamentary hearing examining whether cannabis should be legalised in Australia
A parliamentary hearing will be held to investigate whether cannabis should be legalized in Australia.
A Senate inquiry will hold its first round of hearings in Brisbane on Wednesday, looking into the possible legalization of cannabis for adult recreational use.
The investigation was prompted by a bill introduced into the House of Lords by Greens Senator David Shoebridge in 2023 that would allow the possession of cannabis.
The bill would also establish a national agency that would register cannabis strains and regulate people who can grow the plant, as well as the operation of cannabis cafes.
A Senate inquiry is examining whether cannabis should be made legal for recreational use
The first round of hearings will include appearances from the Australian Medical Association, the Australian Lawyers Alliance, drug law reform advocates and officials from government departments.
In its contribution to the study, the top medical organization spoke out against the proposal to legalize recreational use of cannabis, but said regulations for therapeutic use could be improved.
“The AMA believes that if cannabis were legalized for recreational purposes, it would send a message to the public that cannabis use is not harmful,” the submission said.
“The AMA is concerned that people may self-medicate with cannabis products… for therapeutic purposes without consulting their physicians.”
Families and Friends for Drug Law Reform said the decriminalization of cannabis use could pave the way for better regulation of the drug in the future.
“Moving to a regulated system reduces the need to engage in the illegal production and supply of cannabis and can reduce the harms of maximum prohibition,” the organization’s research report said.
“It’s time to control these substances more effectively without increasing the harm they can cause to the people who use them.”
The Home Office, which will appear before the inquiry on Wednesday, said it had several concerns about the cannabis proposal.
According to the submission, the proposed laws could override customs laws.
“(The bill) will have significant operational and financial implications for the department,” the submission said.
“Decisions would be needed across the government on how existing laws and processes for controlling cannabis at the border would be changed.”