It is time to admit that the criminalisation of cannabis has been a disaster. Countries worldwide are rejecting prohibition, listening to the experts, and legalising and regulating the supply of cannabis. Canada and Mexico have embraced full legalisation, as have a growing number of US states. Hardly a week goes by without news that yet another jurisdiction has gone legal.

But there is little indication that Australia or any of our states will follow anytime soon.

Cannabis is the most common illegal drug in Australia. Around 36% of Australians have used it at least once in their lifetime, and 12% use it regularly. Over 70,000 people are arrested for cannabis offences each year.

More than 90% of these are for possession alone.

A conviction can affect someone for a lifetime, impacting their ability to get employment, obtain credit, and even travel overseas. Keeping cannabis illegal will not stop people from consuming it. 

We can continue to force people into the criminal drug market where heroin and ice are also freely available, and age restrictions do not apply, or we can implement a regulated system and knock out the illegal market.

Our current laws make otherwise law-abiding citizens into criminals, and that is wrong.

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