Legal cannabis within reach: new plan urges government action
Penington Institute releases the Penington Cannabis Control Plan outlining a common-sense plan for cannabis law reform for Australian states and territories. Download research Australian governments have been presented with comprehensive blueprint for how to legalise and, most importantly, regulate cannabis for adult personal use, in a bid to reduce harm, combat crime and stop government […]
Herald Sun: Drug of choice – Sneak peek inside Fitzroy’s mock cannabis shop
Exclusive | The Herald Sun spoke to Penington Institute CEO John Ryan at a mock licensed cannabis outlet set up on Brunswick Street in Fitzroy this week. Read the article here >> The mock shop has been set up for the launch of the Penington Cannabis Control Plan – a clear plan for the legalisation […]
ABC Radio Melbourne: Legalising cannabis will bring $10 billion to Victoria
In an interview on ABC Radio on 11 July 2025, Penington Institute CEO John Ryan outlined findings from recent research, showing that legalising cannabis could contribute $10 billion to Victoria’s economy over the next decade and create around 17,000 full-time jobs. We’ve got to acknowledge that cannabis is already a huge industry – but it’s […]
9News: 57% of Victorians support regulated cannabis
New Penington Institute research shows an increasing number of Victorians are ready to move past outdated cannabis laws and adopt a safer, regulated approach. In an interview with 9News on 10th July 2025, Penington Institute CEO John Ryan shared key insights from a recent survey of 1,500 Victorians, revealing that 57% support legalising cannabis for […]
Cannabis regulation revealed as a $10 billion economic opportunity for Victoria — if we embrace it
Victoria risks missing a golden opportunity to generate billions in additional revenue, create tens of thousands of jobs, and reinvigorate rural and regional economies, if it doesn’t act to legalise and regulate cannabis. Download report New economic modelling by Sapere Research Group, commissioned by Penington Institute, reveals a regulated adult-use cannabis market would inject $10 […]
Young Victorian men back cannabis reform – see it as central in voting decision
New research: Young men are shaping up as the biggest supporters of cannabis reform in Victoria. Download research 64% of men aged 18 to 24 are backing calls for the Victorian Government to allow adults to buy cannabis for personal use under tight conditions. 58% of men aged 25-34 also backed the change, as did […]
The Briefing: plane load of Aussies die from silent killer each month
Penington Institute CEO John Ryan speaks to The Briefing podcast about the growing toll of preventable overdose deaths. New analysis from Penington Institute reveals a confronting reality: drug overdoses now claim twice as many lives as Australia’s road toll, yet despite the scale of this tragedy, CEO John Ryan says the crisis remains hidden and under-addressed. […]
ABC: ‘Boeing 737’ full of Aussies dying of drug overdoses every month, researchers say
Penington Institute CEO John Ryan speaks to ABC News about the growing toll of preventable overdose deaths. Read the story in ABC News New figures released by the Penington Institute reveal a sobering statistic: 2,272 Australians died from drug overdoses in 2023, the equivalent of losing a Boeing 737 full of people every month. Despite […]
Overdose killing ‘plane full’ of Australians every month: new figures
View full report Drug overdoses are killing the equivalent of a Boeing 737 full of Australians every month, according to new analysis by drug policy research non-profit Penington Institute. The snapshot report found that 2272 Australians died from an overdose in 2023, the equivalent of 189 people each month. Over three-quarters of the deaths (77.8%) […]
Penington Institute welcomes new chair and board members
Left to right: Scott Wilson (Chair), Gwen Boniface, Miriam Suss OAM GAICD. Penington Institute has announced a new chair of its Board of Directors and two new board members. Scott Wilson was unanimously elected as Chair. Mr Wilson is a longstanding member of the Penington Institute board and is also the CEO of […]