Allan government open to talks of legalising recreational cannabis

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan and Opposition Leader John Pesutto have revealed they have tried marijuana amid a growing push for recreational use of the drug to be legalised in the state.

Premier Jacinta Allan has admitted she has tried marijuana as the government opened the door to a discussion about legalising cannabis for recreational purposes.

Ms Allan admitted to trying the drug “a long, long, time ago” during a press conference on Thursday.

Asked if she had ever smoked or otherwise consumed the drug, Ms Allan said: “It was a long, long time ago. A long, long, long time ago”.

“I think it’s important that we inject a sense of honesty into our contributions on this, because this is a real issue for many in our community.

“And it’s best that we take a harm minimisation approach. It’s best that we provide support.”

Jacinta Allan has admitted she’s smoked cannabis in the past. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

Treasurer Tim Pallas has also revealed on Thursday he has used cannabis and personally supports legalising the drug.

Asked whether state coffers would benefit from regulating marijuana, which Victorians spent more than $1.2bn on in the past year, Mr Pallas said he wasn’t focused on looking at how he could revenue.

“What I’m interested in is what the best way to effectively regulate cannabis is and indeed whether in fact a health based approach would be superior,” he said.

“I don’t think I want to get too far ahead of myself about what revenue might be available or indeed whether there’s a change in policy at all.”

Mr Pallas said it is his personal view that using cannabis should not be a crime.

“I suppose I should declare I have used,” he said.

“I don’t think a criminal approach to this is best. A health based approach would be best.”

Opposition Leader John Pesutto also conceded he had smoked dope three times while at university.

“I’m not proud of it, but I tried it,” he told 3AW on Thursday.

John Pesutto says he’s not proud of having smoked cannabis. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

Mr Pesutto said he was open to debate about legalising cannabis but raised concerns about rushing reforms through parliament.

“We don’t know how people are going to react to the use, and that’s why for me, the education piece is so important,” he said.

“People want to rush to legalisation without a proper and in-depth analysis about the risks of doing this in terms of your own health.”

Legalise Cannabis MP David Ettershank said the government’s conversation shift was positive.

“I think it’s safe to assume that there is a lot more than two people in this parliament that have consumed cannabis,” he said.

“Some have had really good experiences and continue to use it. Others have had bad experiences. That’s the reality of the drug. It’s what you make of it.”

It comes as the Victorian parliament on Wednesday debated proposed legislation from the Legalise Cannabis Party, which would allow adults to legally possess small quantities of marijuana for personal use.

While the government refused to support the Bill, Premier Jacinta Allan and Mental Health Minister Ingrid Stitt both said they were open to having further discussions, including consulting with experts and the community, about how personal use of the drug could be legalised in Victoria.

Mental Health Minister Ingrid Stitt conceded the government was ‘amenable’ to ongoing discussions.

Former premier Dan Andrews had opposed calls for cannabis reform.

Speaking in parliament on Wednesday, Ms Stitt said while the government did not have current plans to decriminalise cannabis, she was “looking forward to continuing those important discussions”.

“In relation to this Bill that proposes to legalise the adult personal use of cannabis beyond that required for medicinal reasons, we are unable to support it in its current form at this time,” Ms Stitt said.

“However, the government is amenable to ongoing discussions with the Legalise Cannabis Victoria party on this topic and a process that will take the advice of experts and engage with the community.”

Outside parliament on Wednesday, Ms Allan said: “We understand this is a policy priority position of the party that is Legalise Cannabis Victoria, and we will continue to have discussions. But we’ve got no plans or announcements to make at this stage.”

The new approach is a pivot from the stance of the Andrews Government, which opposed calls for cannabis reform.

It is currently an offence to possess or cultivate marijuana.

Former independent Victorian MP Fiona Pattensays the government’s promise is a positive step. Picture: David Crosling

Former independent Victorian MP Fiona Patten, a long-term advocate for drug reform and currently working with the Legalise Cannabis party, said the government’s comments were a positive step.

“This is progress,” she said. “Jeff Kennett first considered this in 1996. The government has now opened the door to further progress on cannabis law reform. It’s baby steps … in the right direction.”

Legalise Cannabis Party MP Rachel Payne said: “The government has articulated a clear pathway to cannabis reform in Victoria.”

The Herald Sun has sought further information from the Allan government about its plans, including whether those discussions would pertain to legalising or decriminalising cannabis.

A spokeswoman said: “We will continue to engage with the community, experts and the parliament on perspectives and issues.”

The Legalise Cannabis Victoria Party has proposed that adults are able to possess small quantities for personal use and grow up to six plants.