Greens make renewed push to allow medicinal cannabis users to drive

The Greens have made renewed calls for users of a particular drug to be permitted to drive on Queensland roads.

The Greens have made renewed calls to allow medicinal cannabis users to drive on Queensland roads following new figures that reveal thousands of motorists have tested positive to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in recent years.

Greens MP Michael Berkman says he wants medicinal cannabis users to be allowed to drive as long as there was not any evidence their ability was impaired.

His comments come after figures released this month revealed there were 18,106 positive roadside drug tests for THC between 2019 and 2021.

Greens MP Michael Berkman

Mr Berkman claimed there was “no evidence” that trace amounts of THC could cause impairment.

“But there is lots of evidence that spurious drug-driving charges can cause financial and personal ruin,” he suggested.

“Medicinal cannabis is legal and it can be transformative for patients suffering chronic pain or undergoing chemotherapy, but those patients should not need to give up their licence.”

In Tasmania, driving with a detectable amount of THC is an offence – unless the product was obtained and administered in accordance with the state’s Poisons Act.

However, a driver can be found guilty of an offence if they are incapable of having control of their vehicle while under the influence of a drug – even if the drug is prescribed.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey

Asked if the Government would consider changes to Queensland’s drug driving laws, Transport Minister Mark Bailey issued a one line statement that said: “We have a zero-tolerance for drug driving in Queensland.”