Page 3818 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 25 September 2019
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In voting for this bill I am asking for the media—and I note that there are some here today—please to report it accurately as what I think it is, which is a further step in decriminalisation, rather than actual legalisation; for the ACT government to provide accurate information to the people of Canberra; and for the ACT government to take appropriate steps to ensure the intent of the bill is delivered on as it is implemented if anybody is in fact prosecuted under things which have been dealt with in this bill.
With some concern, I will vote for the bill. I really wish that I did not have this concern. I would like to see cannabis legalised. Unfortunately, due to the commonwealth provisions which we have talked about, this bill cannot do this. But I have been persuaded by people that, if the intent of the bill is in fact realised—and hopefully the legal minds of the ACT government have ensured that the amendments have been well drafted and the intent can be realised—then it will be a step forward in the direction of legalisation of cannabis at some stage in the future. Hopefully, it will be, at some early stage in the future in Australia. On that basis I will support this bill.
MS STEPHEN-SMITH (Kurrajong—Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, Minister for Children, Youth and Families, Minister for Disability, Minister for Employment and Workplace Safety, Minister for Health, Minister for Urban Renewal) (10.38): I rise to speak in support of the Drugs of Dependence (Personal Cannabis Use) Amendment Bill. I thank Mr Pettersson for bringing forward this bill, and the members of the health, ageing and community services Assembly committee for their work in inquiring into the bill. I acknowledge that the Assembly inquiry process and consideration and debate of this bill has resulted in a number of sensible amendments being brought forward which grapple with the complex legal and practical implications presented by the bill while preserving Mr Pettersson’s intent.
Put simply, the effect of the bill is to remove penalties for the use and possession of small amounts of cannabis by individuals over 18 years. This is completely in line with the ACT government’s harm minimisation objectives and represents a sensible next step in our approach to dealing with cannabis use. The ACT government has a proud history of taking progressive steps and supporting a harm minimisation approach to drug use, including the establishment of the simple cannabis offence notice scheme that currently exists.
Our harm minimisation approach is clearly articulated in the ACT drug strategy action plan 2018-21, which aligns with the national drug strategy and outlines this government’s commitment to evidence-based and practice-informed responses to drug use that minimise harm in our community. The minimisation of harm is an important element of the Australian national drug policy approach, which encompasses the three pillars of supply reduction, demand reduction and harm reduction.
In respect of harm reduction, the ACT drug strategy action plan explains:
Reducing the adverse health, social and economic consequences of the use of drugs, for the user, their families and the wider community. Harm reduction strategies encourage safer behaviours, reduce preventable risk factors and can contribute to a reduction in health inequalities among specific population groups. Harm reduction acknowledges that despite law enforcement efforts drug use still occurs, and can potentially occur more safely.
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