Page 4253 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 23 October 2019
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When we are met with a challenge, it is our job to update existing legislation and apply it according to our challenge. This involves hard work, communication, a vision, a commitment to democracy and a commitment to shifting our attitudes about addictions and how we confront them as a society. We should not be shutting down the challenge we face in the hope of shelving it away. We should be working together to respect the will of the people. It is our job to respect the democratic process and undertake the relevant tasks that are ahead. Let us not put personal bias in the way of genuine progression. To encourage the overriding of the democratic process is unacceptable. To try to render this law invalid is unacceptable. And to try to continue to shut down debate on this is unacceptable.
On the topic of mental health issues and related concerns about cannabis being the result of such issues, I have some research I would like to share. According to the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre’s conclusion from a recent study, “using cannabis placed an individual at a small risk of developing anxiety”—small. But the authors noted that, while the weight of evidence supported the coexistence of cannabis use and anxiety, there was relatively little evidence to suggest that cannabis caused anxiety. It also stated:
Clearly, the relationship between cannabis use and depression and anxiety disorders is complex and involves the individual’s reasons for cannabis use and external situations. That is, cannabis may be used to help cope with social problems that were not necessarily caused by cannabis use.
Some further research that we found stated:
Research using longitudinal data from the National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions examined associations between marijuana use, mood and anxiety disorders, and substance use disorders. After adjusting for various confounding factors, no association between marijuana use and mood and anxiety disorders was found.
The war on drugs does not work. The approach we take should recognise that addiction is a health issue. When it comes to ending the war on drugs, it is not good enough to say we will not do that. Let us find ways to pursue our democratic responsibilities and actually end the war on drugs.
MR RAMSAY (Ginninderra—Attorney-General, Minister for the Arts, Creative Industries and Cultural Events, Minister for Building Quality Improvement, Minister for Business and Regulatory Services and Minister for Seniors and Veterans) (4.37): The government will not be supporting the motion that has been brought forward by Mr Hanson today.
The Drugs of Dependence (Personal Cannabis Use) Amendment Bill 2018 was passed by this Assembly. It was formally notified on 10 October 2019. The act removes criminal penalties for small-scale cannabis possession by adults and it permits possession of two cannabis plants on residential premises per person, up to a maximum of four plants per premises. The legislation introduces offences prohibiting cannabis use around children and in public places. There has been no change to
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