NSW Plebiscite Requirement for Legalising Adult Cannabis Use

Cannabis Legalisation (Plebiscite) Bill 2024

Private Member's Bill

13 Nov 2024: MPs in the first house are debating whether this bill is a good idea in principle.

Legislative Council

Legislative Assembly

Assent

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Topics

cannabis legalization cannabis sale and possession drug policy public vote

Introduced by: John Ruddick MLC (LIBT)

Links to official parliament websites

Official page: progress through parliament

Official page: bill text and explanatory notes

Effects of this bill

If this bill passes, it means that:

The State of New South Wales must hold a plebiscite; this determines if the public approves of legalising the use, possession and sale of cannabis.
Voters must be asked if the government should legalise cannabis for adults 18 and older; this is subject to regulation and taxation.
The vote must happen on the same day as the next general election for the Legislative Assembly.
The Electoral Commissioner must publish arguments for and against the change on the commission's website.
Each published argument must be 2,000 words or less.
The Governor can make regulations to carry out the Act.

News articles and press releases

Cannabis Legalisation (Plebiscite) Bill 2024

The Hon. JOHN RUDDICK — 2024-11-13

Without a plebiscite to decide this issue, we will remain stuck in a rut. Neither of the major parties will want to champion this reform out of fear of losing a few per cent in the marginal seats, and that is understandable. This is why when the American states have taken this step, it has almost always been not by state congresses but by the people’s vote. Our system of government rests on the assumption that people can be trusted to make important decisions. That is a good assumption. Let us give the people the respect they deserve, trust their judgement and trust in the democratic process to make the right decision. This cannabis plebiscite is proposed for the same date as the next New South Wales State election in early 2027. Voters already will be going to the polls that day. They already will have their minds turned towards political matters.