United in Compassion conference
Rachel PAYNE (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (09:43): Over the weekend I attended the United in Compassion conference in Brisbane. Of particular interest were investigations into the impact of cannabis on driving ability and measurements of impairment. Dutch Professor Jan Ramaekers has been assessing the impact of cannabis on driving performance for 25 years. Jan indicated that data from the World Health Organization highlighted that international rates of car accidents are 100 times more likely to be caused by alcohol than by cannabis. A recurring theme was that those that consume cannabis feel the effects quickly and adjust their behaviour accordingly. This argument has evidential support. Jan produced evidence from six studies that measured the standard deviation of lateral position. The findings included that lower doses of cannabis are comparable to a blood alcohol concentration of .04, which is lower than the legal limit for driving in Australia; impairing effects are gone after 4 hours of consuming cannabis; CBD did not produce any impairment; and residual levels of THC can be detected in saliva for days and weeks in blood samples.
Closer to home, research from a clinical trial conducted by Dr Tom Arkell from Swinburne University found: impairment with THC containing cannabis at 40 to 100 minutes is equivalent to impairment associated with .05 blood alcohol concentration; impairment is marginally greater when CBD is combined with THC, which is most medications; minimal impairment at 4 hours; and no impairment with CBD products. The research is clear, and the debate is over and internationally recognised. It is time for patient-led legislative reform.
Sonja Terpstra: On a point of order, President, there is a lot of noise in the chamber. I cannot actually hear what is being said over there, and I think conversations might be better off being had outside rather than in the chamber. I just cannot hear.
The PRESIDENT: I apologise for the noise. Ms Payne, I think you got on okay.