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World’s drug watchdog voices ‘concern’ over cannabis legalisation in Australia
The world’s drug monitoring body, the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), has expressed “concern” that Australia may be inching towards the legalisation of adult-use cannabis.
In its 2024 annual report, published last week, the INCB said it has “communicated to the government of Australia” that any moves to remove prohibition would go against the country’s legal obligations under the UN Single Convention.
Referring specifically to a bill tabled in New South Wales by Legalise Cannabis MP Jeremy Buckingham, the INCB said it enjoys an “excellent working relationship with Australian authorities and acknowledges the country’s active participation in INCB programs and activities”.
“At the same time, the board has noted with concern proposed changes in New South Wales to laws affecting the legal status of cannabis for non-medical purposes that would legalise the home cultivation of up to six plants for personal use, the gifting of cannabis and the possession of up to 50 grams of the drug,” the INCB wrote in the report.
“The board has communicated to the government of Australia that this measure is inconsistent with the country’s international legal obligations as a state party to the 1961 convention as amended and the 1988 convention.
“The board will continue its dialogue with the government of Australia and counts on the country’s continued support and cooperation.”
Along with legalisation moves in NSW, Victoria and WA, the Legalising Cannabis Bill 2023 was introduced in Canberra by Greens MP David Shoebridge.
That was prevented from moving beyond a second reading after a vote in parliament in November.
World’s drug watchdog voices ‘concern’ over cannabis legalisation in Australia
The International Narcotics Control Board
The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) is an independent, quasi-judicial expert body established by the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961 by merging two bodies: the Permanent Central Narcotics Board, created by the 1925 International Opium Convention; and the Drug Supervisory Body, created by the 1931 Convention for Limiting the Manufacture and Regulating the Distribution of Narcotic Drugs. INCB has 13 members, each elected by the Economic and Social Council for a period of five years. INCB members may be re-elected. Ten of the members are elected from a list of persons nominated by Governments. The remaining three members are elected from a list of persons nominated by the World Health Organization (WHO) for their medical, pharmacological or pharmaceutical experience. Members of the Board shall be persons who, by their expertise, competence, impartiality and disinterestedness, will command general confidence. Once they have been elected, INCB members serve impartially in their personal capacity, independently of Governments.
