Despite not supporting the decriminalisation of cannabis for personal use, the Allan Victorian government has opened the door to discuss the move in the Upper House with the Legalise Cannabis Party (LCP).
Victorian State Director of the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL), Jasmine Yuen, said, “It is disappointing to see the Premier taking a softer approach to recreational drugs in contrast to the strong opposition to such a move by her predecessor.
“The Premier’s admission to having tried cannabis when she was younger is not a valid reason to legalise cannabis or any recreational drugs, rather experience should make one wiser in terms of the adverse consequences on individual health as well as overall society. Drugs, mental illness and social problems are interrelated. Legalising cannabis will only encourage more recreational drug use leading to more social issues. The LCP’s claim that legalising cannabis will save the government millions ignores the increasing cost that would be required in increased law enforcement and health services.”
“It is ironic that on the one hand, the federal government is banning vapes imports due to the harm being caused through vaping to young people’s health, whilst the Victorian government is happy to discuss the legalisation of recreational cannabis which is known to cause life-long harm to both physical health and mental wellbeing of users. Smoking weed is not ok”.
The ACL urges the Allan Government to remain firm on Labor’s policy against recreational drug reform, and not appease the LCP at the expense of the health and wellbeing of young Victorians.
