Victorians would be able to possess up to 50g of cannabis under a proposed law change

Two politicians have planned an unorthodox way of celebrating if a major reform is approved.

Victoria’s two pro-pot MPs have pledged to light up at Parliament House if they are able to fulfil their life’s goal – getting the government to approve the legalisation of cannabis.

Time is running out for Legalise Cannabis Party upper house members Rachel Payne and David Ettershank to secure major reform, with Victorians set to head to the polls next year.

As parliament resumes this week, they have vowed to ramp up their efforts to force the Allan government to make a change they say is well overdue – and they are quietly optimistic, believing the state has never been closer to ending the prohibition on weed.

A parliamentary committee will this month conduct a review of proposed legislation – first pushed by Ms Payne in 2023 – that would let adults possess up to 50g of cannabis and allow people to grow six plants at home for personal use.

The legislation is a life goal for Legalise Cannabis Party upper house members Rachel Payne and David Ettershank. Picture: Tim Carrafa

It is currently an offence to possess or cultivate marijuana.

“Former premier Daniel Andrews was quite adamant about his position on cannabis reform,” Ms Payne said.

“It was just a flat-out ‘no’, whereas I think (with) Jacinta Allan … there is more of an appetite to have those broader conversations.”

To pass a Bill or motion, 21 votes are needed in the 40-member upper house. Labor only has 15 MPs, meaning it requires the support of six other politicians to pass legislation.

The pair plan to light up a joint at Parliament House if the reform is passed. Picture: Tim Carrafa

Throughout this term of parliament, the government has looked towards the so-called progressive crossbench, which includes Ms Payne and Mr Ettershank, to pass their legislation. While the pair regularly vote with government, they have on occasion broken from tradition and used their votes to support inquiries that Labor had tried to quash, including on integrity matters, public housing towers and the 2022 flood crisis.

And with less than two years until the next state election, both have warned they are now prepared to do whatever it takes to force the government’s hand at cannabis reform.

“Will we leave anything in the locker room? Absolutely not,” Mr Ettershank said.

“We’re quite happy to push the envelope as hard as it has to be pushed. If we can’t agree, well, you know, we’re not here for the jobs or the catering.

“We’re here to get things done, and we’ll do what has to be done to get that.”

Ms Payne and Mr Ettershank regularly use cannabis to manage pain, but also to “spark up their creativity” or just chill out and “melt into the couch”. But they insist they’ve never smoked weed – or been stoned – while at work.

Asked if they would take a toke at Parliament House, both said: “Not yet but absolutely if it becomes legal.”

“I have got high on the excitement of parliament, and sometimes exhaustion,” Mr Ettershank quipped, adding: “I think one of the cruel ironies about being preselected to legalise cannabis is that I can’t consume as much as I used to, simply because of the demands associated with the work.”

Originally published as Victorians would be able to possess up to 50g of cannabis under a proposed law change