Question regarding the potential impact of cannabis legalisation on alcohol use disorder in regional WA, particularly within Indigenous communities, referencing a US study and recent NT alcohol supply changes. The Minister deferred the answer due to cross-portfolio complexity.

AnsweredQoN 536Legislative Council
Asked
17 May 2023
Portfolio
Aboriginal Affairs

QuestionView source ↗

CANNABIS —
LEGALISED JURISDICTIONS — ALCOHOL USE DISORDER
536. Hon SOPHIA MOERMOND to the Leader of the House
representing the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs:
I refer the minister to recent
changes to alcohol supply in Alice Springs put in place by the Northern
Territory government, as well as our own banned drinkers register operating in
regional Western Australia.
(1) Is the
minister aware of a recent federally funded twin study out of the United States
and published by the University of Cambridge suggesting that those living in
states that have legalised cannabis have demonstrably lower instances of
alcohol use disorder than those living in jurisdictions where cannabis remains
illegal?
(2) Will the
McGowan government take these findings into consideration when it considers its
approach to alcohol in regional Western Australia?
(3) What
conversations, if any, has the minister had with Aboriginal stakeholders on the
view held by our First Nations people on cannabis and its potential role in
reducing alcohol dependency within Indigenous communities?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question.
This
question crosses multiple portfolios and the answer cannot be coordinated in
the time available. The honourable member is requested to place the
question on notice.

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