A majority of Australians support treating cannabis in the same way as alcohol and tobacco through taxation and regulation, according to new data from Essentials Research.
The poll, which surveyed 1,150 adults online, found that 50% of participants agreed or strongly agreed with the proposal, compared to just 26% who were opposed.
These results echo earlier community attitudes captured in the 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey, which recorded support for adult-use cannabis at 41%, up from 35% in 2016. That same survey found 74% of Australians believed cannabis consumption should not carry criminal penalties.
In a coordinated move last June, the Legalise Cannabis Party simultaneously introduced the Regulation of Cannabis for Personal Adult Use Bill 2023 in Victoria, New South Wales and Western Australia — the three states where the party holds upper house seats.
Legalise Cannabis Victoria (LCV) MP David Ettershank said the new figures were a "clear vindication" of the party's push for reform.
"The Australian population is clearly well ahead of our major political parties and it's time for those parties to catch up and act," he said. "Instead of the perpetual criminalisation and marginalisaton of people for cannabis use, Australians want taxation and regulation."
LCV MP Rachel Payne added: "What we seek is sensible and meaningful reform to end the criminalisation of people who consume personal-use cannabis. If a majority of voters think the same, isn't it time our government got on the right side of history by reforming outdated laws, in line with community expectations?"
"The polling is clear, the Australian war on drugs does not work. The cost of prohibition from cannabis-related law enforcement spending takes not only an enormous economic toll, it does nothing for harm minimisation in our community."
