A petition calling on the Victorian government to protect medicinal cannabis patients from the state's drug-driving laws has surpassed 1,500 signatures, after receiving sponsorship from Legalise Cannabis Victoria MP David Ettershank. The campaign was launched by Montu vice president Rhys Staley.
The petition reads: "Tens of thousands of Victorian residents are prescribed medical cannabis by their doctor, but risk fines and loss of licence due to the current laws.
"We should not criminalise those who are legally prescribed medications, who are unimpaired and can drive safely. That is how we treat every single other prescription medicine and medical cannabis should be no different."
The petition calls on members of Victoria's Legislative Council to pressure the Allan Labor Government into amending the Road Safety Act 1986 so that it is "no longer an offence for a driver who is unimpaired to have detectable THC in their blood or oral fluid, provided they have taken their medication as prescribed."
To sign the petition, click here.
Separately, the Transport Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 is currently before the state's Legislative Assembly for debate.
The bill follows Ettershank's private member's bill, which was introduced in February with the aim of allowing unimpaired medicinal cannabis patients to legally drive in Victoria.
The proposed amendments would ensure certain provisions of the Act do not apply to participants taking part in a medicinal cannabis road safety research trial scheduled to begin next year.
