High time for a law change say Greens: Australians will be able to grow up to six plants in their homes and smoke in the street under the party's new plan to legalise and regulate marijuana
NSW Greens propose private members bill to legalise and licence cannabis Will allow users to grow up to six plants at home and buy the drug at retail stores MP David Shoebridge says it makes no sense to treat consumption as a crime Party plans to introduce a private members bill within 100 days of state election
By Kylie Stevens For Daily Mail Australia
Published: 07:21 EST, 5 March 2019 | Updated: 10:06 EST, 5 March 2019
Recreational cannabis use could become legal in New South Wales under a radical new plan by the Greens.
The party has vowed to introduce a private members bill to legalise, regulate and licence cannabis within the first 100 days of parliament after the March 23 state election.
If passed, the bill will allow cannabis users to grow up to six plants at home for personal use and consume the drug wherever it's legal to smoke tobacco. The NSW Greens have unveiled a radical new plan to legalise, regulate and licence cannabis +4
The NSW Greens have unveiled a radical new plan to legalise, regulate and licence cannabis
They will also be able to buy cannabis at retail stores if they're over the age of 18 and can produce identification.
'It makes no sense to treat the consumption of cannabis as a crime,' Greens MP David Shoebridge said in a statement provided to Daily Mail Australia.
'We are wasting millions each year and missing out on licencing revenues that the state desperately needs. It's time we stopped taking such a backward approach to a drug that over one-third of Australians have used. We regulate and licence alcohol at a state level and it's about time we did the same for cannabis.'
'It makes no sense to treat the consumption of cannabis as a crime,' Greens MP David Shoebridge (pictured) said +4
'It makes no sense to treat the consumption of cannabis as a crime,' Greens MP David Shoebridge (pictured) said
The Greens will also move for a parliamentary inquiry into the legislation and the establishment of the NSW Cannabis Agency.
It's estimated their proposed plan will generate $200 million a year in additional revenue for the NSW government, which the Greens want invested into schools, hospitals and drug and alcohol treatment programs, particularly in regional and rural NSW.
The party proposes $25 million also will be allocated to prevention and harm reduction programs in NSW high schools. Cannabis users to grow up to six plants at home for their personal use under a private bill proposed by the NSW Greens (stock image) +4
Cannabis users to grow up to six plants at home for their personal use under a private bill proposed by the NSW Greens (stock image) Video playing bottom right... Click here to expand to full page
'No one is saying that cannabis is without any harmful effects, however making it illegal does not magically make it safer, in fact it does the opposite,' Mr Shoebridge said.
'By making cannabis legal consumers can be certain of the concentration and quality of the product they are using, can be assured it meets minimum health standards and can be given accurate information about its likely effects.'
There has been a divisive reaction on social media to the news.
'It's about time, but this requires some public education on the true effects of prohibition to get through the wall of assumptions in association to mental health,' man posted on the NSW Greens Facebook page. The legalisation of cannabis (stock image) could generate up to $200 million a year in revenue for the NSW government, according to the NSW Greens +4
The legalisation of cannabis (stock image) could generate up to $200 million a year in revenue for the NSW government, according to the NSW Greens
Another added: 'I fear the 'legalisation' in Australia will only turn profits of an existing industry over to big business and make it less affordable in the process. I am hopeful but not confident in any thing beyond that.'
Legal cannabis is available in Spain, Uruguay, Canada and nine US states.
'Each year thousands of people needlessly come into contact with police and the courts for using a drug that's legal in many other places around the world,' Mr Shoebridge posted on his Facebook page on Wednesday night.
'It's time for a commonsense approach that would generate revenue that we can spend on harm minimisation and prevention as well as public infrastructure like schools, hospitals, parks and libraries.'
Greens NSW plan to legalise, regulate and licence cannabis
Australians in NSW could be legally allowed to buy, grow and smoke cannabis, if the Greens are successful in their plan to overhaul current laws.
Ben Graham@bengrahamjourno news.com.auMarch 5, 20193:25pm
Should Cannabis be legal in Australia?
EXCLUSIVE
The Greens are set to announce a plan to legalise, regulate and licence cannabis for recreational use in NSW — which will allow you to own up to six plants and light up anywhere where it’s legal to smoke tobacco.
Within the first 100 days after the election, the Greens have promised to introduce a private members bill to legalise cannabis for recreational use as well as move for a parliamentary inquiry into legislation and the establishment of the NSW cannabis agency.
“It makes no sense to treat the consumption of cannabis as a crime,” said Greens MP and spokesman for Justice and Policing, David Shoebridge. The Greens plans would allow you to grow up to six plants. Picture: Nathan Edwards
The Greens plans would allow you to grow up to six plants. Picture: Nathan EdwardsSource:News Corp Australia Ads by Kiosked
“We are wasting millions each year and missing out on licencing revenues that the state desperately needs. It’s time we stopped taking such a backward approach to a drug that over one-third of Australians have used.”
WHAT DOES IT MEAN IF IT PASSES?
The plan will allow anyone over the age of 18 to buy cannabis at retail stores with a requirement to produce ID.
You could grow up to six plants at home for personal use and consume it wherever it is legal to smoke tobacco.
The Greens says its plan will generate an estimated $200 million per year in additional revenue for the State Government by a mix of licencing fees, GST and savings on criminal justice spending. David Shoebridge says weed legalisation would pump $200 million a year into the state’s coffers. Picture: Monique Harmer/AAP
David Shoebridge says weed legalisation would pump $200 million a year into the state’s coffers. Picture: Monique Harmer/AAPSource:News Corp Australia Ads by Kiosked
This money will be invested in public infrastructure like schools and hospitals with $75 million allocated to drug and alcohol treatment programs across the state, especially focused on regional and rural areas which currently have no such services.
A further $25 million will be allocated to prevention and harm reduction programs in high schools across the state, focused on high school children and young adults.
‘EXPENSIVE FAILURE’
The Greens argue that the war of drugs is an expensive failure, meaning we need a new, “realistic and evidence-based approach” to drug policy, that reflects the “reality of people’s lives”.
The party says that cannabis is currently manufactured and distributed by people in breach of the criminal law — such as crime organisations and outlaw motorcycle gangs.
It argues that legalising, regulating and licencing cannabis for adult use in NSW would remove criminals’ revenue streams and prevent people coming into contact with illegal drug dealers wherever possible.
“No one is saying that cannabis is without any harmful effects, however making it illegal does not magically make it safer, in fact it does the opposite,” said Mr Shoebridge.
“By making cannabis legal, consumers can be certain of the concentration and quality of the product they are using, can be assured it meets minimum health standards and can be given accurate information about its likely effects.”
He added that Australia currently regulates and licences alcohol at a state level, so it would be possible to do the same for cannabis, and it would also take a significant burden off the state’s police force.
In Australia, cannabis arrests account for the largest proportion of illicit drug arrests. In 2015-16, there were almost 80,000 cannabis arrests. Of these arrests 90 per cent were consumers.
“Each year thousands of people needlessly come into contact with police and the courts for using a drug that’s legal in many other places around the world,” Mr Shoebridge said.
“It’s time for a commonsense approach that would generate revenue that we can spend on harm minimisation and prevention as well as public infrastructure like schools, hospitals, parks and libraries.”
CURRENT LEGALISATION APPROACHES IN OTHER COUNTRIES
Other countries around the world have already moved to legalise cannabis. In the USA, nine states (Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington) as well as the District of Columbia have moved to legalise cannabis. Legal cannabis is available in Spain, Uruguay and Canada.
In Uruguay, early data shows that drug-related crime has dropped 20 per cent since cannabis became legal in July 2017.
Early evidence from the US appears to point to a reduction in alcohol consumption, violent crime and prescription opiate overdoses.
WASHINGTON, USA
Over 21s can buy up to an ounce. Cannabis can only be sold and purchased at state-licensed retail stores.
CANADA
Adults can buy from government, private or online retailers
In some jurisdictions use is permitted in private residences and in public spaces where tobacco is permitted. In Canada use of cannabis did not increase after legalisation. Picture: AFP
In Canada use of cannabis did not increase after legalisation. Picture: AFPSource:AFP
In some jurisdictions, users can grow plants at home.
URUGUAY
Adults can buy up to 40 grams every month from approved pharmacies.
Users must register with authorities and have their purchases tracked.
Registered users can set up smoking clubs of anywhere from 15 to 45 people to grow marijuana. These cannabis cooperatives can plant up to 99 plants in the same space.
SPAIN
Shared consumption allowed via cannabis social clubs, (not for profit associations, democratically operated by its members).
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