The Northern Beaches review reports
The Australian Greens are promising to reform cannabis laws and push for a ban on new fossil fuel projects in Bass Strait if the minor party secures the balance of power at the federal election.
Cannabis laws needed reform after decades of punitive policy at the state and federal levels, the federal party said on Monday.
“Much of the rest of the world has moved on to legalise cannabis and it’s high time Australia did the same,” Greens NSW Senate candidate David Shoebridge said ahead of a policy launch in the NSW Northern Rivers town of Nimbin.
Regulation and taxation on legalised cannabis would make it safer for adults who use it, take money away from criminals and divert it to infrastructure like hospitals and schools, he said.
“When the government controls the supply and quality of cannabis, it is also able to provide health support for intervention or problematic use where needed,” Mr Shoebridge said.
Some 36 per cent of Australians over the age of 14 have used non-medicinal cannabis, according to Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data for 2019, with 11.6 per cent having consumed it in the previous twelve months.
Those people should not be considered criminals, according to the Greens.
Many people in the community use cannabis and a regulated industry could raise $4.4 billion in revenue, Greens candidate for Page, which includes Nimbin, Kashmir Miller said.
Under the Greens plan, adults would be able to grow six plants at home for personal use or buy from cannabis retail shops.
Licences to produce or sell cannabis would go through an Australian Cannabis Agency, which would also act as the single wholesaler.
Advertising would be banned and the cannabis sold in plain packaging like cigarettes.
Those selling without a licence would still be open to penalty.
