The former supervising magistrate of the Victorian Drug Court and an ally of Legalise Cannabis, Tony Parsons, delivered the prestigious 2025 Penington Institute Oration at Victoria’s Parliament House calling for an urgent overhaul of cannabis laws.

The Penington Institute is a leading Australian drug research and policy organisation, and every year holds an informed discussion on sound public policy.

Tony drew on his five decades in law in his speech on the failings of government cannabis policy and the need for courage in law reform.

“Our current drug policies force cannabis consumers into a black market and our current cannabis laws only serve to preserve and protect that black market dynamic,” he told an audience of leaders in health, justice, and law-making at Parliament House.

“That’s the harm that our current drug laws force on our community. And that is exactly why our laws need to be viewed through the lens of harm minimisation.”

Adopt a rational, compassionate, and evidence-based cannabis policy

Tony, who is also the former Managing Director of Legal Aid Victoria, said it was time for a new approach to make society safer and fairer, and called for a regulated cannabis market.

“I’ve seen what communities can achieve when we have foresight and ambition, and when we ‘do the hard work’ in the pursuit of drug policy progress. And I’ve also seen what happens when we do nothing,” he said.

Victoria could have been a leader in cannabis reform

Legalise Cannabis Victoria MPs Rachel Payne and David Ettershank were in the audience for the speech.

“As a former Magistrate of the Drug Court, Tony has seen firsthand how current laws fail our most vulnerable Victorians,” Rachel said.

“Tony spoke about how all the way back in the late 90s, then Liberal Premier, Jeff Kennett, was supportive of decriminalising cannabis and at last year's Oration, told the audience that failing to act on Cannabis legalisation was a major regret from his time as Victoria’s Premier.

“All around the world we are witnessing the reform of cannabis laws. The evidence is well and truly there, and public support is at an all-time high.”

David said Tony called for a ‘jolt of leadership’ and some foresight to advance sensible drug law reform.

“And as we have said ourselves, how often does a social reform come along that meets the holy trinity of good policy reform – it’s the right thing to do, is backed by evidence and enjoys broad community support.  And as an extra bonus, it will also actually save the government money,” he said.