Australia’s 2023 Cannabis Legalization Bill Fails to Pass

Greens’ Cannabis Legalisation Bill Defeated in Senate Amid Growing Support for Reform

Canberra, Australia – On Wednesday, the Australian Senate voted down the Greens’ Legalising Cannabis Bill 2023 for adult-use cannabis by a significant margin. The vote, which ended 13 to 24 in favor of rejection, dealt a blow to the Greens’ vision of a regulated, commercial cannabis industry. Despite this setback, the Greens are determined to continue pushing for legalisation, viewing the vote as a stepping stone in a larger campaign.

Proposed Bill: A Vision for Legalisation

The Greens’ Legalising Cannabis Bill 2023 aimed to establish a national framework for legal adult-use cannabis across Australia. Among the proposed reforms were the creation of a government agency to oversee the commercial cannabis industry, the allowance of home cultivation for personal use, and the opening of licensed “cannabis cafes” where patrons could consume cannabis in a social setting.

The bill also forecasted a significant boost to Australia’s economy, with an estimated $28 billion in public revenue projected over the first nine years of operation. The Greens made it clear that the bill would not alter the existing medicinal cannabis framework, which has already been legalised in the country since 2016.

However, the proposal faced stiff opposition from both major political parties, the Labor Party and the Coalition, who raised concerns about public health, safety, and the implications of legalising cannabis at the federal level.

The Senate Vote and Reactions

Despite strong advocacy from the Greens, who believe legalisation is both inevitable and necessary, the bill was defeated by a wide margin. Senator David Shoebridge, the Greens’ Justice Spokesperson and one of the main architects of the bill, expressed disappointment but vowed to continue the push for reform.

“We took a big step today from treating cannabis as part of the failing ‘war on drugs’ and instead putting forward a model that is safer, reduces harms, and delivers for the millions of Australians who just want us to legalize it!” said Shoebridge. He pointed out that support for cannabis legalisation is overwhelming across the Australian public, and argued that the growing demand for reform makes it only a matter of time before cannabis is fully legalised.

Although the vote outcome was expected, given the opposition, the Greens are not backing down. Shoebridge noted that both the Labor and Coalition parties had joined forces to maintain what he described as a “1950s approach” to drug policy.

“The Labor and Coalition parties joined together to try and hold Australia back in the 1950’s by blocking this desperately needed reform,” Shoebridge said. Despite the defeat, the Greens remain committed to legalising cannabis – if not during this Parliament, then in the next.

Growing Public Support for Legalisation

Support for cannabis legalisation has grown steadily in Australia, with a large segment of the population calling for a regulated market that would allow adults to legally purchase cannabis, cultivate it at home, and consume it socially in regulated settings. Recent polls show that a significant majority of Australians support the legalisation of cannabis for adult use, with the issue gaining traction particularly among younger Australians.

The Greens have made cannabis legalisation a cornerstone of their platform, arguing that it would not only bring in significant tax revenue but also reduce the harms associated with the illegal drug trade and the criminalisation of users. Shoebridge and other Greens’ members argue that legalisation would ensure a safer environment for cannabis consumers, with regulated products offering consistency and safety that the black market cannot guarantee.

Opposition from Major Parties

The opposition to the bill, however, has been strong. Both the Labor Party and the Coalition have voiced concerns that legalising cannabis could send the wrong message to young people and could exacerbate public health problems, particularly related to mental health and road safety.

Senator Michaelia Cash of the Coalition has consistently opposed cannabis legalisation, stating that the risks outweigh any potential benefits. “Cannabis is a drug that comes with serious risks, especially to young people and to people who may already be vulnerable to mental health issues. We cannot afford to gamble with the health and safety of Australians,” she said after the vote.

Similarly, the Labor Party has expressed reservations, with Senator Kristina Keneally arguing that the issue needs more in-depth research and consultation. Keneally also raised concerns about the impact of cannabis legalisation on road safety, a topic that has been raised frequently in recent debates.

Cannabis and Road Safety: NRMA’s “Driving High Report”

The vote on the cannabis bill comes just days after a report by the National Roads and Motorists’ Association (NRMA) revealed troubling statistics about cannabis use and road safety. According to NRMA’s “Driving High Report”, cannabis was found in the systems of drivers involved in 69% of drug-driving-related crashes in New South Wales.

While the report did not differentiate between illicit and medicinal cannabis use, it highlighted the need for further research into cannabis and its effects on driver impairment. The NRMA has called for a review of warning labels on cannabis products and additional studies to better understand the risks posed by cannabis consumption while driving.

While the NRMA report focuses on the risks associated with cannabis consumption, it also underscores the need for effective education and regulation, particularly around medicinal cannabis use, to ensure drivers are aware of the potential impairments associated with the drug.

The Path Forward: The Greens’ Commitment to Reform

Despite the setback, the Greens remain optimistic about the future of cannabis legalisation in Australia. In a statement after the vote, Shoebridge emphasized that the fight for cannabis reform is far from over.

Looking ahead, the Greens plan to continue lobbying for the reform in future parliamentary sessions, with hopes that changing attitudes and ongoing public support will ultimately push the issue over the finish line. For now, the legalisation of cannabis remains on hold at the federal level, but momentum for reform is undeniably growing across the country.

The defeat of the Greens’ Legalising Cannabis Bill 2023 in the Senate marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate over cannabis legalisation in Australia. While the result may have been expected, the Greens remain undeterred, pushing forward with their mission to bring cannabis reform to the nation. With growing public support, the legalisation of cannabis for adult-use remains an issue that will continue to dominate the political landscape in the coming years.