Regulatory Framework for Cannabis in NSW
Ms Cate Faehrmann: The Greens support the motion. We support the recommendation for an inquiry by Portfolio Committee No. 1 - Premier and Finance. Let that committee inquire into all things related to cannabis in terms of the regulatory framework for cannabis. If the motion passes, I note that the inquiry will look at the provisions of the 2023 cannabis bill. As the Drug Law Reform and Harm Reduction Spokesperson on behalf of The Greens, I have had a bill before this place looking at a similar model for legalising cannabis. It is about time, frankly, that we had a very far-reaching, thorough and detailed inquiry into cannabis—not just medicinal cannabis and not just into the very unfair laws around driving for medicinal cannabis patients.
It is about time that we looked in detail at what the regulatory framework would look like if we were to have a legal cannabis market. Many other countries have legalised cannabis in a lot of different ways. The terms of reference are very comprehensive and extensive. We will be able to examine exactly what other jurisdictions have done in terms of a legalised cannabis framework and how it is working. It is very new and a lot of countries are doing it very differently. The terms of reference are very broad, very good and very detailed. The Greens support the motion and will hopefully be a participating member of the inquiry.
Speaking of the drug summit, as the member who moved the motion referenced, it is a good time frame to get it done before the drug summit. What is that time frame, though? We do not know. What is the time frame for the committee? It is reporting by 26 September. Does that mean that the Government's promised and much‑vaunted drug summit will be after 26 September? Maybe it is all here. Maybe the motion is the news scoop as to when the drug summit will be. Maybe the moving member has knowledge of this over and above anything else. The drug summit potentially is after 26 September. That is the scoop for today. We support the motion.
Full text of the motion:
Jeremy Buckingham moved:
(1) That Portfolio Committee No. 1 - Premier and Finance inquire into and report on the impact of the regulatory framework for cannabis in New South Wales, including:
(a) the historical development and implementation of the regulatory framework for cannabis;
(b) the socio-economic impact of the current regulatory framework for cannabis;
(c) the historical, current and future financial cost of cannabis prohibition to the Government and the economy;
(d) the impact of the current regulatory framework for cannabis on young people, the health system, personal health, employment, road safety, crime and the criminal justice system;
(e) the impact of the regulatory framework for cannabis on Aboriginal, LGBTIQA+, regional, multicultural and lower socio-economic communities;
(f) alternative approaches to the regulatory framework for cannabis in other jurisdictions;
(g) the provisions of the Drug Misuse and Trafficking Amendment (Regulation of Personal Adult Use of Cannabis) Bill 2023; and
(h) any other related matter.
(2) That the committee report by 26 September 2024.