Inquiry backs AMA calls regarding risk of legalising cannabis for recreational use
A Senate Committee has made recommendations in line with the AMA’s submission urging against legalising recreational cannabis.
The AMA is pleased the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee inquiry into the Legalising Cannabis Bill 2023, has recommended the senate not pass the bill. The AMA did not support the Bill.
The AMA made a submission to the inquiry which resulted in an invitation to appear before the committee hearing in February 2024. The AMA was represented at the hearing by Public Health Committee chair and GP, Dr Michael Bonning.
In his appearance, Dr Bonning reiterated the AMA’s concerns that if cannabis were legalised for recreational purposes, it may increase health and social-related harms, which in turn may increase demand on an already overstretched healthcare system.
The AMA’s submission mentioned concerns that people may use recreational cannabis products to self-medicate when Australia already has an existing, high-quality process for assessing the safety, quality, and efficacy of therapeutic products through the TGA. Dr Bonning was quoted in the final committee report as saying:
“There is growing evidence for specific conditions and the use of medicinal cannabis. This has been shown by the number of special access scheme authorisations for the use of medicinal cannabis. In addition, many general practitioners and subspecialist practitioners are now authorised to apply for cannabis-based products for their patients. That has been increasing steadily over the last five years.
There is genuine interest in continuing research, and in the use of cannabis where there is clear medical and clinical evidence for the use of it. As with all things, if there is good evidence to support it, from a clinical perspective, doctors are happy to assess that evidence and use it for the benefit of their patients…There may always be a gap between those people who think they should have medicinal cannabis and the evidence supporting that use.”
The committee’s final report raised concern that legalising cannabis for adult recreational use would create as many, if not more, problems than the Bill is attempting to resolve, worrying that it did not address concerns about ensuring children and young people cannot access cannabis (particularly home-grow), managing risky cannabis use, and effective oversight of THC content.
