Greens study finds overwhelming support for legalisation of cannabis in Australia

A surprisingly high level of support for legalising marijuana in Australia has been discovered in a Greens Party survey of 9000 Aussies.

A survey of 9000 Aussies shows support for the Greens’ proposal to legalise cannabis.

EXCLUSIVE

A surprisingly high level of support for legalising marijuana in Australia has been discovered in a Greens Party survey — with a huge percentage of respondents supporting legalisation.

Nearly 9000 Aussies took part in an extensive online survey from the party to express their views on the Greens’ proposal to legalise cannabis.

A massive 98 per cent of respondents supported the idea of legalisation — and 57 per cent of those surveyed identified themselves as recreational cannabis users.

The Greens claim the survey findings have “shed light on the depth of support for this initiative and the existence of a sophisticated market eager for accurate labelling and access to cannabis-infused edibles”.

The survey revealed that the most preferred method (82 per cent of respondents) of consuming cannabis in a legal market is through edibles, rather than smoking. Moreover, respondents displayed strong support for cannabis cafes (67 per cent) and truth in labelling (97 per cent).

The survey results indicate a preference for a sales model independent of major pharmaceutical, alcohol, and tobacco companies, with 75.5 per cent of respondents advocating for a ban on their involvement in the cannabis market.

Additionally, a majority (57 per cent) of respondents favoured a limit of six plants for home cultivation.

Furthermore, 70 per cent of respondents expressed support for a 15 per cent cannabis sales tax.

If implemented, Parliamentary Budget Office figures show this tax could generate an estimated $28 billion in public revenue over the next decade.

However, the primary motivation of supporting reform — voiced by 91 per cent of participants — was to prevent individuals from being incarcerated for cannabis possession.

Nearly 9,000 individuals have participated in an extensive online survey to express their views on the Greens’ proposal to legalise cannabis.

“This overwhelming support serves as a tremendous endorsement for our plans to enact nationwide cannabis legalisation through Commonwealth legislation. As it turns out, proponents of cannabis law reform are not only passionate but also philanthropic,” Greens Senator David Shoebridge said in a statement provided to news.com.au.

“The strong support for a 15 per cent cannabis sales tax, which could contribute $28 billion to public revenue, reflects a firm commitment to ending the injustice of needlessly subjecting countless young individuals to police and court proceedings for cannabis possession.”

He said one of the most surprising findings in the survey was the support for legal edibles over smoking.

“The resounding endorsement for legal edibles underscores the potential public health benefits associated with legalisation, as individuals shift away from smoking towards alternative cannabis consumption methods,” Mr Shoebridge continued.

“The nationwide demand for cannabis legalisation is undeniable, and we are confident that support will continue to grow as we consider people’s suggestions and refine the bill before presenting it to Parliament.”

The Greens are currently reviewing the submissions and have already identified some recommendations regarding secure storage and closer collaboration with the existing medicinal cannabis industry.

“Our next step is to refine the bill, bring it to the Senate, and ultimately transform it into law,” Mr Shoebridge said.

Greens Senator David Shoebridge said the overwhelming support ‘serves as a tremendous endorsement for our plans to enact nationwide cannabis legalisation’.

Medicinal cannabis in Australia is nothing new, with companies providing over-the-phone prescriptions for a wide array of products focused on treating pain and sleeping issues.

Medicinal cannabis in Australia is nothing new, with companies providing over-the-phone prescriptions for a wide array of products focused on treating pain and sleeping issues.

$28 billion in revenue

The Greens also argue that legalising cannabis could generate $28 billion in taxes, according to the Parliamentary Budget Office.

The party has commissioned the PBO to war game the revenue that could flow from legalisation, a path embraced by Canada, where marijuana can be bought by adults at government-run stores and licensed private retailers.

It remains a crime in Canada to grow more than four plants at home, smoke in public, carry more than 30 grams or sell to anyone aged 18 or under.

Under the Greens’ plan you could grow six plants in Australia, but it would remain a crime to sell pot to anyone underage, such as teenagers.

Figures obtained by the Greens from the PBO show that the legalisation of cannabis would generate more than $28 billion in government revenue in the first decade after legalisation.