On Friday the Legislative Council committee inquiry into the impacts of the regulatory framework for cannabis in New South Wales released its final report. The NSW Council for Civil Liberties (NSWCCL) has long called for decriminalisation of cannabis across Australia, coupled with regulation. We believe that the criminal law is ill-suited to deal with drug use in the community. We welcome the committee's final report and urge the NSW Government to take immediate action to implement their recommendations. 

A copy of the NSW Council for Civil Liberties (NSWCCL) submission to the inquiry can be found here. In August 2024, former President of NSWCCL and former Director of Public Prosecutions, Nicholas Cowdery AO KC FAAL appeared at the inquiry on behalf of NSWCCL, his comments can be found here. 

Comments attributable to Timothy Roberts, President NSWCCL 

“The public, the evidence and the parliamentary inquiry are all clear in their support for the decriminalisation of cannabis use and possession. It's time for the NSW Government to get on with the job.

“Cannabis use should not be in the remit of the criminal law. With over 700,000 people in NSW using cannabis every year, most do not experience drug dependency. These are our neighbours, family members and colleagues. 

“The story of cannabis policing is a shameful part of the failed war on drugs. First Nations people in particular are systemically overrepresented, over-imprisoned and are less likely to be offered support of diversion programs.”