An inquiry into the impact of the regulatory framework for cannabis in New South Wales is moving along, with a public submission period winding up last week.
In March this year, an Upper House committee inquiry was announced, delving into the history and implementation of cannabis regulation in the state, as well as its socioeconomic impact. Chair of the inquiry, Jeremy Buckingham MLC said it was the first of its kind for NSW and was long overdue.
“Cannabis is an issue that traverses so many parts of our community, from health, law enforcement and youth to the elderly, the criminal justice system, the judiciary and Treasury itself,” he said. “Prohibition has not worked so it is time to look at alternate approaches.”
Public submissions on the issues were invited, and closed at the end of last month after an extension. All told, 314 submissions were received.
Among them was a submission from the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) NSW branch, which supported the decriminalisation of cannabis use for adults in the general population, but with an education campaign to warn residents of the potential harm.
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) NSW and ACT also provided feedback, stating while it does not recommend nor encourage the use of medicinal cannabis, it supports its members in their choice to prescribe where it is legalised.
“MC should be considered analogous to the prescribing of any other medication that can potentially cause sedation and managed accordingly within the clinical management by the GP and their patient,” the submission stated.
The Australian Lawyers Alliance (ALA) NSW also weighed in, stating that a drug policy focused on prohibition or criminalisation is counterproductive.
“Instead, the ALA supports decriminalisation as an important measure to change the focus from law enforcement to a health-focused legal response to drug use.”
A number of hearings are also taking place, with the first occurring at NSW Parliament House on August 1. The next hearing is scheduled for the same location on the 19th of August, followed by another in Lismore on the 20th.
The committee is to report on its findings by 26 September 2024. The terms of reference and submissions can be accessed here.
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