Legalising Cannabis Bill 2023 | |
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The Australian Senate | |
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Territorial extent | all states and territories within the Commonwealth of Australia |
Considered by | In consideration by The Australian Senate |
Legislative history | |
Introduced by | Senator David Shoebridge |
Introduced | 10 August 2023 |
First reading | 10 August 2023 |
Summary | |
A proposed law that would legalise the production, sale and use of cannabis for recreational purposes in Australia | |
Keywords | |
Cannabis | |
Status: Pending — before |
The Legalising Cannabis Bill 2023 is a bill that was introduced to the Australian Senate on 10 August 2023, by Senator David Shoebridge,[1] a Senator for the Australian Greens in New South Wales. The bill is similar to that of the Cannabis Legalisation Bill 2023 in NSW, The (DPCSA (Regulation of Personal Adult Use of Cannabis) Bill 2023 in the state of Victoria and the Cannabis Legalisation Bill 2022 in South Australia in that it legalises the sale, production and use of recreational cannabis, only at a federal level.[2]
This proposed law differs from the status of cannabis legalisation in the Australian Capital Territory, as the bill provides for a full legalisation, whereas the Australian Capital Territory, commencing 31 January 2020, allows for decriminalised use of up to 50g of 'dry' cannabis or 150g of 'wet' cannabis, so long as the user is over 18.[3] This is said to encourage access to rehabilitation services "without fear of being put through the justice system".[3]
The Australian Greens are the only federal political party that hold seats that is loudly pro-cannabis legalisation.[4] The Legalise Cannabis Australia party, formerly the Help End Marijuana Prohibition (HEMP) party, as stated in their name, is a party whose cause is to legalise the recreational use of cannabis. Legalise Cannabis Australia currently does not hold any seats in the Federal Parliament, however they retain seats in the Upper houses of the Victorian Parliament,[5] the New South Wales Parliament[6] and the Parliament of Western Australia.[7] The party holds a seat in the City of Rockingham.[8]
Party | Views | Notes | |
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Coalition | Against | Conservative views, pro-medicinal use but against generalised legalisation.[4] | |
Labor | Against | pro-medicinal, but against recreational use.[4] | |
Greens | For | Pro-legalisation of cannabis completely, with regulatory bodies and monitoring.[4] | |
Lambie | Mixed | Pro-medicinal, however they believe it is a doctor to patient matter, not a legislative one.[4] | |
United Australia | Mixed | Conservative views, want a standard for all drugs in the eyes of law.[4] | |
One Nation | Against | Conservative Views.[4] |