Thursday, 19 February 2026

 Rachel PAYNE (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (10:02): Six years on the evidence is clear: the sky did not fall in when the Australian Capital Territory decriminalised cannabis. ‘Surely more people are using cannabis in the ACT,’ I hear you say. Actually, no – cannabis use has remained stable in the ACT, with 8.7 per cent of adults reporting using cannabis in the previous 12 months, which is well below the national average and consistent with pre-reform levels. ‘Oh, but hospital admissions will go up.’ Again, no – there has been no increase in cannabis-related hospital admissions. Ambulance call-outs involving cannabis have remained steady, averaging between six and 10 attendances per 100,000 people – minuscule. ‘What about road safety?’ Again, outcomes have remained stable. There has been no demonstrated increase in serious injuries resulting from crashes or fatalities that are attributable to decriminalisation. But what has changed? The burden on the justice system. Cannabis possession charges fell significantly following reform, down some 90 per cent. The ACT experience shows sensible reform reduces unnecessary criminalisation without increasing harm. Evidence, not fear, should guide cannabis law reform.