❓ Dr. Walker questions the government about legalising cannabis to combat alcohol abuse, referencing a Canadian study. The government acknowledges alcohol issues but rejects cannabis legalisation as a priority.
AnsweredQoN 1026Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
CANNABIS — LEGALISATION
1026. Hon Dr BRIAN WALKER to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Racing and Gaming:
I refer the minister to a recent
academic paper, published in the journal Health Policy , which shows that
for every dollar spent on legalised recreational cannabis across seven Canadian
regions, a drop of between 74� and 84� was seen in alcohol sales.
(1) Is the Cook
government committed to tackling the health and economic impacts of excessive
alcohol use in Western Australia, and regional Western Australia in particular?
(2) If yes to (1), what is being done to further that goal?
(3) Will the government consider a regional trial here
in Western Australia, allowing cannabis to be consumed legally, so as to
monitor the impacts of such a move on problematic alcohol consumption and
associated antisocial behaviour; and, if not, why not?
1026. Hon Dr BRIAN WALKER to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Racing and Gaming:
I refer the minister to a recent
academic paper, published in the journal Health Policy , which shows that
for every dollar spent on legalised recreational cannabis across seven Canadian
regions, a drop of between 74� and 84� was seen in alcohol sales.
(1) Is the Cook
government committed to tackling the health and economic impacts of excessive
alcohol use in Western Australia, and regional Western Australia in particular?
(2) If yes to (1), what is being done to further that goal?
(3) Will the government consider a regional trial here
in Western Australia, allowing cannabis to be consumed legally, so as to
monitor the impacts of such a move on problematic alcohol consumption and
associated antisocial behaviour; and, if not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of the question. On behalf
of the Minister for Racing and Gaming, I provide the following answer.
(1) Yes.
(2) A number
of policy interventions are underway to reduce the impacts of excessive alcohol
use in Western Australia. This includes the provision in section 175 of the
Liquor Control Act 1988 for dry communities.
There are 26 communities across Western Australia that have elected to be dry
communities , with no sale or consumption of alcohol. Under section 64 of
the act, liquor restrictions are implemented across multiple towns. The banned
drinkers register and takeaway alcohol management systems are implemented in
towns with daily alcohol limits. The banned drinkers register is currently in
place in the Kimberley, Pilbara, goldfields,
Carnarvon and Gascoyne Junction, following the passage of new legislation through Parliament—the Liquor Control Amendment (Banned Drinker
Register) Bill 2023. There is also the implementation of carriage limits in the
Kimberley region and the Shire of Carnarvon to support liquor restrictions and
combat sly grogging.
(3) No. It is
not a priority of the Cook Labor government to modify the existing laws and
penalties in place regarding cannabis possession and use.
of the Minister for Racing and Gaming, I provide the following answer.
(1) Yes.
(2) A number
of policy interventions are underway to reduce the impacts of excessive alcohol
use in Western Australia. This includes the provision in section 175 of the
Liquor Control Act 1988 for dry communities.
There are 26 communities across Western Australia that have elected to be dry
communities , with no sale or consumption of alcohol. Under section 64 of
the act, liquor restrictions are implemented across multiple towns. The banned
drinkers register and takeaway alcohol management systems are implemented in
towns with daily alcohol limits. The banned drinkers register is currently in
place in the Kimberley, Pilbara, goldfields,
Carnarvon and Gascoyne Junction, following the passage of new legislation through Parliament—the Liquor Control Amendment (Banned Drinker
Register) Bill 2023. There is also the implementation of carriage limits in the
Kimberley region and the Shire of Carnarvon to support liquor restrictions and
combat sly grogging.
(3) No. It is
not a priority of the Cook Labor government to modify the existing laws and
penalties in place regarding cannabis possession and use.
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