Legalise Cannabis Victoria used their last debate slot before the election to call for a plebiscite on cannabis legalisation in Victoria. Labor, Liberal and the Nationals voted down our proposal - 27 to 8. We are thoroughly disappointed by the level of contempt in which our politicians hold the Victorian Public – they decided that neither the evidence nor you matter.

Our proposal was really simple – if the major parities can’t get the job done on cannabis law reform, let the people decide. Instead, the major parties continued to shut us down and ignore you.

This election, LOOK FOR THE LEAF. 

“I have been talking to politicians from all Parties for four years and it is very rare that a single one of them says they don’t agree with cannabis law reform. MPs know what Victorians want, they just lack the courage to do it. So they should let the people decide.” Rachel Payne, MP

“Eighty per cent of Victorians believe cannabis possession should not be a criminal offence. Victorian Labor’s own policy for the last three years has been full commercialisation of cannabis. The only thing preventing change is a lack of political courage and trust in the Victorian people to make a sensible decision.” David Ettershank, MP

Why a plebiscite

Because the Government has failed to act and we’re sick of waiting. A plebiscite is a direct vote by all voters on an important question. It tests public opinion when politicians can’t (or won’t) act. Similar mechanisms have been used to tackle important questions that get stuck in the mire of politics – things like divorce laws (Italy), same-sex marriage (Australia, Ireland) and drug law reform (ACT).

What is a plebiscite

A direct public vote where everyone answers a simple question: do you support the legalisation of cannabis? The outcome of a plebiscite is not binding, but it is very hard for governments to ignore. And, it gives them cover to make changes they lack the courage to enact.

Why cannabis should be legalised

If you’re reading this article you probably already know why cannabis should be legal for adults! Where shall we start...

Ø  PLANT: It’s a plant that grown adults should be able to consume if they want to. 

Ø  IT’S HERE: Cannabis is the most widely consumed “illicit” substance in Australia - which means 100 years of prohibition has FAILED.

Ø  HEALTH: Every credible health body says any drug use should be treated as a public health issue and not a legal one.

Ø  THE LAW: Legal experts agree that treating cannabis as if it’s akin to drugs like ice or heroin is ridiculous.

Ø  FAIRNESS: Social justice advocates point to the undeniable fact that those suffering most under prohibition are the poor, First Nations people, people with disabilities and other marginalised groups.

Ø  POLICE: Victoria Police’s own operations manual recommends cautioning (and not arrest) for personal cannabis possession – because members know that policing cannabis is not good use of their time or resources.

Ø  COURTS: Our courts are already overflowing and can’t keep up with actual crime.

Ø  AGREEMENT: All sides of politics agree – or have agreed – at one time or another that cannabis reform is right and sensible, but both the major parties have been too gutless to act.

Ø  POPULAR SUPPORT: Eighty per cent of Victorians support cannabis law reform. That’s a clear majority.

Last weekend, the Herald Sun - Victoria’s most widely read newspaper, reported on our plebiscite and ran a poll on legalisation. At the time of writing, over 87% of readers voted in favour of legalisation. This is a resounding result in Victoria’s most widely read newspaper. Interestingly, many people who commented on the piece already thought it was legal!

The same weekend, a profile piece on our new Victorian Premier in the Guardian Newspaper lead with the word cannabis in the title and, it quoted him as saying he’s open to decriminalisation. This is huge news. While we’re bitterly disappointed with the result of the plebiscite debate, progress is being made – law reform is on the agenda which is a LONG WAY from where discussions were at when we arrived at Spring St almost four years ago. Again, look for the leaf at the election.

Change like this is always slow, but the tide is turning. As we head into a Victorian election, we look forward to your support and, to taking the fight for law reform to the people.