Stalling on medicinal cannabis safety laws leaves Western Australians in the dark

A wall of silence

In the Legislative Council today, I raised a fundamental question about the future of our medicinal cannabis laws. For too long, patients have been trapped in a state of uncertainty. They are being prescribed medication for their health, only to face the constant, lurking fear that a routine drive could lead to a loss of their licence. The risk is not merely theoretical. It is a daily anxiety for thousands who choose to follow the science rather than the stigma.

The doctor's perspective

Through my years as a GP, I have seen the real-world impact of medical policy that ignores clinical reality. Patients deserve clear, evidence-based rules that allow them to live their lives without the threat of legal repercussions for taking prescribed medicine. We are told there is a working group, we are told there are recommendations, yet when I ask for those findings to be made public, the government hides behind a wall of bureaucratic silence. They claim to be considering the report. They have been considering it for a long time.

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The human cost of inaction

This is not just a matter of parliamentary process. It is about a patient's fundamental right to mobility and the relief that comes with proper care. By keeping these recommendations hidden, the government keeps us all in the dark. We are a community of forward-thinkers who value evidence over political convenience. When the government ignores the advice of experts, they leave citizens at risk. Why the secrecy? What are they afraid of, if not the very transparency that good governance requires?

You can read the full account of this exchange in the official parliamentary record from today. The fight for sensible, compassionate drug reform is ongoing, and it is a fight we cannot win without your support. I invite you to join our growing movement for change at Legalise Cannabis WA as we continue to push back against the status quo.