Andrews govt urged to fast track cannabis reform so medicinal users can get behind the wheel

Reforms paving the way for thousands of medicinal cannabis users to drive - as long as they are not high - could be on the way.

A looming overhaul of the state’s drug driving laws will allow thousands of motorists to get behind the wheel with traces of cannabis in their system.

State government bureaucrats are working on reforms which would pave the way for thousands of medicinal cannabis users to get drive, so long as they are not high.

The precise details of the reforms won’t be finalised until later this year, but are expected to put an end to the legal limbo at least 30,000 Victorian medicinal cannabis users find themselves in.

They were prompted by a Bill introduced to parliament by the Legalise Cannabis Party last month, which, if passed, would make crucial changes to the Road Safety Act.

Under the proposed changes, drivers could have traces of THC — the main chemical in cannabis — in their blood or saliva as long as they had a medicinal cannabis prescription and were not impaired.

Mark Smith uses medicinal cannabis to treat pain. Picture: Jason Edwards

Medicinal cannabis user Mark Smith said it was past time Victoria reformed its drug driving laws.

Unlike other illicit drugs, THC can linger in a user’s system for weeks, meaning all regular cannabis users are constantly at risk of being charged with drug driving.

Mr Smith relies on medicinal cannabis to relieve chronic nerve pain that he sustained from a crush fracture in his spine.

He has twice had his license medically suspended despite never driving while impaired.

“I didn’t test positive. That’s the frustrating part. THC wasn’t present in my system and they cancelled me without me even testing positive,” he said.

Rather, Mr Smith had his license suspended after he proactively went to VicRoads to be “honest and upfront” about his prescription.

Mr Smith now relies on his wife to drive him an hour to work.

Mr Smith relies on his wife to drive him to work after his license was suspended. Picture: Jason Edwards

“All I’ve ever done is right by the law and due to my medical condition, I’ve not only lost my drivers license twice but my career is on the line,” he said.

“It could lead to a criminal record which ultimately affects my future.”

“I have been ... punished for ... my choice to use, in my opinion, a safer alternative to opioids which I would be allowed to drive after consuming.”

An Andrews government spokeswoman said: “We’ll continue to assess the emerging evidence in this area before making any decisions around medicinal cannabis use and driving.”

“The safety of all road users is the highest priority and we make no apologies for our focus on this,” she added.

“We also recognise that medicinal cannabis patients need to be able to get around.”