Legalising Cannabis Bill 2023

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Legalising Cannabis Bill 2023
Coat of Arms of Australia.svg
Parliament of Australia
  • A Bill for an Act to provide for the registration of cannabis strains, the regulation of cannabis and the establishment of the Cannabis Australia National Agency, and for related purposes
Territorial extentall states and territories within the Commonwealth of Australia
Considered byIn consideration by The Australian Senate
Legislative history
Introduced by Senator David Shoebridge
Introduced10 August 2023
First reading 10 August 2023
Summary
A proposed law that would legalise the production, sale and use of cannabis for recreational purposes in Australia
Keywords
Cannabis
Status: Pending — before

The Legalising Cannabis Bill 2023 is a bill introduced to the Australian Senate on 10 August 2023, by Senator David Shoebridge, [1] a Senator for the Australian Greens in New South Wales (NSW). The bill is similar to state legislation introduced in the past as it aims to legalise the sale, production and use of recreational cannabis, however this would provide for legalisation at a federal level. [2] State legislation introduced includes:

Contents

The bill's intent to legalise cannabis differs from cannabis' status in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), with the bill's aim to fully legalise cannabis, including for recreational use. Commencing 31 January 2020, the ACT decriminalised the possession of up to 50g of 'dry' or 150g of 'wet' cannabis, so long as the person is over 18. [6] This is said [7] to encourage access to rehabilitation services "without fear of being put through the justice system". [6]

The Australian Greens are the only federal political party that hold seats that is officially pro-cannabis legalisation. [8]

The Legalise Cannabis Australia party, formerly the Help End Marijuana Prohibition (HEMP) party, as their name suggests, is a party whose main goal is to legalise the recreational use of cannabis. Legalise Cannabis Australia does not hold any seats in the Federal Parliament as at May 2024, however they retain seats in the upper houses of the Victorian, [9] New South Wales [10] and the West Australian legislative bodies, with a seat in the Parliament of Western Australia in the in the City of Rockingham [11] [12]

Inquiries

On 10 May 2024, a senate inquiry; Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee into the Legalising Cannabis Bill 2023 was held in Canberra to interpret the bill with input from professionals in the industry. [13] The committee heard various testimonies largely from three different organisations; Alcohol and Drug Foundation, National Drug Research Institute, as well as the COO and CEO of private medical cannabis company, Astrid Health. [13] Astrid has a large stake in the medicinal industry, and operates a dispensary and clinic in Victoria. [14]

Partisan views on cannabis legalisation in Australia

PartyViewsNotes
Coalition AgainstConservative views, pro-medicinal use but against generalised legalisation. [8]
Labor Againstpro-medicinal, but against recreational use. [8]
Greens ForPro-legalisation of cannabis completely, with regulatory bodies and monitoring. [8]
Lambie MixedPro-medicinal, however they believe it is a doctor to patient matter, not a legislative one. [8]
United Australia MixedConservative views, want a standard for all drugs in the eyes of law. [8]
One Nation AgainstConservative Views. [8]

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References

  1. ↑ "Legalise Cannabis". Australian Greens. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  2. ↑ "LEGALISING CANNABIS BILL 2023 Explanatory Memorandum". www5.austlii.edu.au. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  3. ↑ "Drug Misuse and Trafficking Amendment (Regulation of Personal Adult Use of Cannabis) Bill 2023". www.parliament.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  4. ↑ "Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Amendment (Regulation of Personal Adult Use of Cannabis) Bill 2023". www.legislation.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  5. ↑ Legislation, South Australian (22 November 2021). "LZ". South Australian Legislation. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  6. 1 2 Treasury, ACT Government; PositionTitle=Director; SectionName=Corporate Management; Corporate=Chief Minister and (19 February 2020). "Home". Cannabis. Retrieved 4 March 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ↑ How Australia's most radical cannabis laws are coping two years later | ABC In-Depth . Retrieved 14 May 2024– via www.youtube.com.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "What Do Australia's Political Parties Think About Cannabis?". investingnews.com. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  9. ↑ "Find a member | Parliament of Victoria". www.parliament.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  10. ↑ "All Members". www.parliament.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  11. ↑ "Member List". www.parliament.wa.gov.au. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  12. ↑ Rockingham City, Council (4 March 2024). "Council Members". Rockingham City. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  13. 1 2 corporateName=Commonwealth Parliament; address=Parliament House, Canberra. "Public Hearings". www.aph.gov.au. Retrieved 14 May 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  14. ↑ "Astrid". Astrid. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
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