Page 3820 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 25 September 2019
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As the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs Association ACT, ATODA, put it in their submission to the HACS inquiry:
There is no reason to believe that legalising minor cannabis offences will lead to increased incidence of health-related harms … On the other hand, it will lead to benefits in removing a large number of young people from the risk of contact with the criminal justice system.
The ACT’s drug strategy action plan recognises that a criminal record for drug use and possession may increase stigma and disadvantage, and it sets out the government’s commitment to increasing diversions from the criminal justice system. It is anticipated that shifting recreational cannabis use from being a criminal justice issue to one of health and wellbeing will reduce the stigma associated with cannabis use and remove the risk of punishment associated with illegal drug use. Evidence suggests that this will mean cannabis users will be more willing to seek out and access the necessary supports and services.
The ACT government is committed to ensuring that the right supports and services are available for those who choose to seek help. The ACT government invests more than $20 million each year in alcohol and other drug treatment and associated support services. Canberra Health Services offers information, advice, referral, intake assessment and support 24 hours a day. This service is available to all residents of the ACT who think they or a family member or friend needs help with an alcohol or drug problem. The 24-hour helpline is staffed by caring, committed and professional workers who are there to provide assistance and support to people affected directly or indirectly by drug or alcohol use.
All of this aligns with the ACT government’s commitment, set out in the drug strategy action plan, to investing in evidence-based and practice-informed harm minimisation responses to alcohol, tobacco and other drugs and to leading the country in innovative policy approaches. This bill, with the sensible amendments that are being put forward, is exactly in line with the harm minimisation approach the ACT government has adopted, and I am proud to stand here and support it today.
MR PETTERSSON (Yerrabi) (10.46), in reply: Thank you to all members who have contributed to this debate. I first introduced this bill nearly one year ago. Throughout this process there has been overwhelming community support for these reforms. I would like to thank all Canberrans who have participated in this process. They have told their stories, they have made submissions and they have lobbied members of this place. The bill presented today has been through the committee process. This has involved submissions from and consultation with various stakeholders and members of the community. There are amendments coming, and I believe this bill will be in its best form by the conclusion of today.
How exactly does this bill work? Put simply, it will legalise the possession and cultivation of small amounts of cannabis. There have been some amendments proposed to the bill since it was first introduced, to improve clarity and remove certain ambiguities. I will speak very briefly to the totality of the amendments raised so as to avoid rising numerous times throughout the detail stage.
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