The Reason Party leader is advocating for a scaled-down approach to drug policy reform as her parliamentary bill faces mounting opposition.
The legislation appears unlikely to command sufficient support due to resistance from both government members and opposition MPs.
However, according to recent reporting, Patten held discussions with the state's chief executive about conducting a localized trial program in either St Kilda or a regional center such as Bairnsdale, both of which have encountered significant substance abuse problems.
This smaller-scale initiative would encompass multiple controlled substances beyond cannabis, including methamphetamine and heroin.
Patten noted that the proposal has backing from "law enforcers, addiction experts, policy analysts, medical associations, doctors, nurses, other front-line service providers and an increasing number of people in the community".
In a parliamentary statement, attorney-general Jaclyn Symes indicated openness to investigating future policy changes.
She told parliament: "The government will convene a working group with police, health professionals, addiction specialists among others to give advice to the minister for health and the minister for police on possible infringement trial options."
No specific location for the potential trial has been determined.
Meanwhile, Victoria's parliamentary budget office has projected that state finances could benefit by as much as A$128 million over the following decade if Patten's bill were to pass.
The projection accounts for an estimated A$133 million decrease in costs associated with court and detention system handling of drug-related cases, offset partially by a loss of A$5.1 million in revenue from drug offense penalties.
Responding to the budget analysis, the Premier suggested that fiscal considerations represent only one dimension of the policy question, telling reporters "there are many things that would save money, whether they are good things to do or not is another thing".
Patten said in an interview that the funds freed up by reducing court and prison burdens could be directed toward rehabilitation and recovery programs.
"People with alcohol and other drug problems need help, not more harm," she said.
"Here is a measure increasingly adopted around the world, amid proof it reduces needless deaths, leads to recovery, slashes crime, saves public funds, and rescues families.
"This change needs and merits bipartisan political support."
Even as the parliamentary measure appears headed for failure, Patten continues to press forward with her reform initiative.
In a message posted to social media, she said: "This bill starts that conversation around treating the use of drugs differently, seeing it as a health issue, not one that should be stigmatised or criminalised."
