Legalise cannabis in Australia, but don’t do it for the money – expert weighs in

Legalise cannabis in Australia, but don’t do it for the money – expert weighs in

Reports say that the Greens will present draft legislation within the next two months to legalise cannabis, following a $28 billion revenue estimate from the Parliamentary Budget Office.

Jarryd Bartle, Associate Lecturer, Criminal Law (0405 439 374 or jarryd.bartle@rmit.edu.au)

Topics: Cannabis legalisation, drug law reform

"Support for the legalisation of recreational cannabis has risen dramatically over the last few decades, and there are many good reasons for this.

“Among them, there is clear evidence from overseas that cannabis legalisation can be a major source of tax revenue.

“However, there are reasons to be sceptical of the latest estimates from the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO).

"The model used by the PBO assumes a 15% increase in regular cannabis use in Australia following legalisation, although it is unclear what the basis for this estimate is.

"The estimate rightly assumes that, initially, around half of cannabis sales will still occur via the black market as supply chains adjust.

“It also assumes 95% of sales will occur within the legalised market within 5 years, something we haven't encountered in legalised jurisdictions overseas.

"There are many benefits to legalising cannabis, including greater regulatory control of the product and decreased stigma resulting in better health outcomes for people who use.

“Estimated tax revenue, whilst certainly part of the argument for legalisation, is far too uncertain to be the sole case for legalisation."

Jarryd Bartle is a sessional lecturer in criminal law at RMIT University and a consultant to the drug and alcohol sector.

***

Interviews: Jarryd Bartle, 0405 439 374 or jarryd.bartle@rmit.edu.au

General media enquiries: RMIT Communications, 0439 704 077 or news@rmit.edu.au

02 February 2023

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02 February 2023

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