Penington Institute survey says Victorians want cannabis reform

Recreational use of the once taboo cannabis is rapidly gaining support from adults across the state, but only with ‘careful, sensible regulation’.

Most Victorians are in favour of cannabis regulation over criminalisation, new research released on Sunday reveals.

Think tank the Penington Institute, which is developing a model for cannabis regulation in Victoria, says it is the highest level of support for regulation over criminalisation in an Australian independent survey.

The Carlton-based public health research and drug policy institute surveyed more than 1500 Victorians and found 54 per cent in favour of decriminalising cannabis with just 21 per cent saying current laws are working to address harms from drugs.

It now plans to use the results to have further community discussions.

Former Australian Federal Police commissioner and Penington Institute board member Mick Palmer said the research confirms an overriding community sentiment that current laws and policies remain starkly misaligned and outdated.

New research by the Penington Institute shows most Victorians are in favour of cannabis regulation over criminalisation.

In November the Victorian government said it would seek further advice from community and health experts on the matter of cannabis policy reform.

The Institute says its focus is about reducing harms to the community.

“The community wants change, and our government must listen and act,” says

the Institute’s CEO John Ryan.

“Our research shows they are in favour of a model of careful, sensible cannabis regulation.”

In the statement he said the ACT decriminalised cannabis for personal use in 2020 and the evidence showed there had been little change in consumption rates, no change in cannabis-related hospitalisations and significantly fewer cannabis-related arrests.

“Less arrests means fewer resources wasted, and less harm to otherwise law-abiding community members,” Mr Ryan said.

The Institute says cannabis law enforcement costs the Australian community in excess of $1.7 billion per year and that a regulated cannabis market can reduce that burden.

Mr Ryan said the Penington Institute supports responsible cannabis regulation and is developing a model which will strike a careful balance.

He said in developing the model, it will consult widely with health professionals, government and interested community members.

In December the Victorian government opened the door to a discussion about legalising cannabis for recreational purposes.

Opposition leader John Pesutto also said at the time he was open to debate about legalising cannabis, but raised concerns about rushing reforms through parliament.