MEDIA RELEASE

New Inquiry into Drugs of Dependence (Personal Cannabis Use) Amendment Bill 2018

On 20 February 2019, the ACT Legislative Assembly passed a motion to refer the Drugs of Dependence (Personal Cannabis Use) Amendment Bill 2018 (Bill) to the Standing Committee on Health, Ageing and Community Services (Committee) for inquiry and report by 06 June 2019.

The Bill provides amendments to reform the Drugs of Dependence Act 1989 in relation to personal possession of cannabis and consequential amendments to the Criminal Code (ACT) 2002.

Ms Bec Cody MLA, Chair of the Committee, said that, “the Committee welcomes input from individuals, organisations, health and legal professionals, as well as businesses and industry groups on how the proposed Bill would affect them. The Committee would find it particularly helpful to receive comment on whether or not the Bill should be supported and proposals for the amendment or omission of specific clauses”.

Written submissions should be lodged to the Committee by close of business Wednesday, 20 March 2019.

If you wish for your submission to be confidential, please contact the Committee Secretary.

Submissions should include your full name, postal address, email address and telephone number. Electronic lodgement is preferred and can be sent to: LACommitteeHACS@parliament.act.gov.au.

Further information on how to lodge a submission is available at: Participate in public inquiries

The Committee intends to hold public hearings following this date.

The Bill is available at: www.legislation.act.gov.au.

STATEMENT ENDS

Thursday, 28 February 2019

For Further Information Please Contact
Committee Secretary: Mrs Josephine Moa
Phone: (02) 6205 0136
Email: LACommitteeHACS@parliament.act.gov.au