Penington Institute – Australia’s leading independent drug policy research non-profit – believes the NSW Government has missed an important opportunity to show national leadership on evidence-based cannabis reform.
In its newly published response to the Impact of the regulatory framework for cannabis in New South Wales Parliamentary Inquiry’s final report, the Government has rejected every recommendation, including decriminalising the personal use of cannabis and the consideration of legalisation and regulation of cannabis for adult personal use.
Penington Institute’s Director of Research & Acting CEO Dr Jake Dizard urged the NSW Government to fully explore the benefits of a regulated cannabis model, such as the one proposed in the recently released Penington Cannabis Control Plan.
“More Australians support a carefully regulated market for adult-use cannabis than oppose it,” Dr Dizard said.
“Public support for legislative change is overwhelming: eight in ten Australians support the removal of all criminal penalties for the possession and use of cannabis, and a growing majority back legalisation under strict regulations.
“The current criminalised approach has failed to reduce use – more than 40% of Australians have used cannabis in their lifetime, with over 1 in 10 using it in the past year. It has succeeded only in driving the cannabis market underground, where criminal networks profit massively.
“Cannabis reform isn’t radical – it’s sensible, measured policy that reflects this persistent reality.”
Dr Dizard said the Penington Cannabis Control Plan offers a comprehensive, evidence-based roadmap for safe cannabis regulation that provides a valuable foundation for state and territory governments across Australia to lead meaningful reform.
“Penington Institute is committed to a harm minimisation approach to drug use in the community.
“The NSW Government has missed this opportunity, but the groundswell of community support for common-sense reform is only rising. NSW still has an opportunity to show leadership, reduce harms from our outdated cannabis policies, and bring cannabis laws into line with evolving community expectations.”
One of the Inquiry’s key recommendations was to remove the possibility of jail time for simple cannabis possession. Despite wide support for this approach across the community and among health and justice experts, the NSW Government declined to support it.
“Criminalising people for simple cannabis possession does nothing to improve community safety. In fact, it causes harm and wastes time and resources,” Dr Dizard said.
While the NSW Government noted that some cannabis-related issues may be addressed in its upcoming response to the NSW Drug Summit, no firm commitments have been made.
“The current public debate on this issue in NSW is a great opportunity for the Minns Government to step forward and lead the way to a safely regulated adult-use cannabis market, strong public health messaging, and a clear focus on community safety.”
“The evidence is clear – regulating cannabis can protect public health, free up police and court resources, and displace the criminal market.”
Penington Institute continues to work with experts, communities and policymakers to pursue meaningful cannabis law reform across Australia.
Penington Institute Acting CEO and Director of research, Dr Jake Dizard, is available for comment.
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Media contact: Amy Green on amy@theagendagroup.com.au or 0437 437 101
Penington Institute is an independent drug policy nonprofit. It supports cost-effective approaches to maximising community health and safety in relation to drugs. Read more at penington.org.au