Cannabis legalisation is becoming increasingly common in the developed world. Countries like the United States and Canada proved the incredible benefits that cannabis legalisation could bring to a market. The public has been calling for lawmakers to do the same for cannabis in Victoria to give Australians the same freedoms.

If legalised:

• those who need (e.g. those with chronic diseases) will finally get access, safely
• a standardised product in the market, ensuring quality
• black market can be eliminated to produce jobs and tax income
• an array of related industries can crop up bringing billions to the state
• the law looks at cannabis the same way it looks at heroin or cocaine – this can be fixed through legalisation
• those who have had their lives affected purely by cannabis-related criminal records can finally move on with their lives
  
  The list of possibilities go on, and are very extensive. Victorian Premier Dan Andrews himself touted these benefits (see Tweets below) 2 years ago. Similarly, extensive research has shown cannabis to be far less harmful to health (if at all), compared to alcohol and cigarettes.

However, in late-2021, the Premier of Victoria was quick to stifle new legislation brought forward through years of hard work. It simply wasn’t convenient with an election approaching – and he chose to contradict all the science and his own stance from the past.

The approach he used allowed him to escape with minimal negative press, as intended. And barely anyone noticed his spineless U-turn.

In this article, we will explore Dan Andrews’ agenda and what his team did to hinder this progress – and why. Hint: there’s an election coming up.

Expert Recommendations

Expert input into the inquiry overwhelmingly recommended the legalisation of cannabis. Particularly as an act to end the illegal market in which it is sold and help those who need it for health reasons, to access it safely. The cannabis found illegally (in a currently thriving black market) often has toxic levels of lead and other additives. Legalisation would help distribute a more healthy and sustainable form of the crop.

Also among the axed recommendations was that all people with a minor cannabis conviction should have it removed from their criminal record – to which there’s little to no debate. Simply an ‘inconvenient’ subject for Dan to touch during election season.

Furthermore, cannabis legalisation can also reap economic benefits with an increase in tax revenue and job opportunities. Victoria would save $725 million over 10 years just from the reduction in justice and police costs. 

The Contradictions of Andrews on Cannabis in Victoria

Prior to his election as premier when Andrews held the position of Victorian minister of health, he vowed to make cannabis legal. This comes across as a massive contradiction when compared to his 2021 dismissal of even inquiring into the subject.

Andrews even displayed his public encouragement through a series of tweets – claiming how great this direction would be:

How the Andrews team squashed 2 years of progress

After 2 long years of state parliament inquiry that was meant to recommend legalising cannabis (and aligned with Andrews’ own arguments in the past) – government MPs intervened at the last moment. Literally in that evening, to get rid of it and any discussion in the last hour.

Three Labor MPs on the committee leading the inquiry used their majority power to water down the recommendations, in what a fellow MP on the committee called a “galling” last-minute move. The timing of it was particularly sneaky, after hours in the middle of a pandemic – this news was not going to get much attention, and he was right. Barely any major news outlets covered his repulsive, underhand actions.

“I found it galling that you could sit in an inquiry for a year, Fiona could do all that hard work, then the government could simply come over the top and change the recommendations before they’re made public,”

– MP who spoke anonymously because members of Parliament are prohibited from discussing reports before they are tabled.

The team watered down the inquiry which now reads that the government would investigate the impacts of legalising cannabis as opposed to recommending legalisation – an extremely frustrating result for advocates despite all the facts and science behind the inquiry.

Therefore, watering down of the legislation removes Andrews from the pressure of passing the legislation of the original inquiry.

Future of Cannabis in Victoria

Dan’s team delayed the progress of this cause by years, thanks to their determination to play politics despite all facts presented. Facts did not matter in this instance, as the looming election is clearly the priority.

The day when politicians finally get their act together in Victoria is nowhere near.