Victoria has introduced laws that will not automatically disqualify drivers who test positive for the drug if they are medicinal cannabis users.
The Victorian Legislative Assembly is said to have passed an amendment to the law allowing magistrates to use their discretion in sentencing those with a valid prescription.
Thus, medicinal cannabis users will be allowed to drive in Victoria.
This law amendment should also be forwarded to the Lower House for final approval and it is expected that the new law will be passed with effect from March 2025.
As a result, Victorians who use medical cannabis prescribed by doctors will be able to drive without fear of losing their driver’s licence.
Current laws in Victoria state that anyone who tests positive for cannabis or drugs automatically loses their driver’s license.
The change would mean that a person with medical approval for the use of medicinal cannabis would be able to explain their situation before a magistrate and the magistrate would have the discretion to automatically revoke, suspend or impose a penalty on their driver’s licence.
The motion was brought forward by the Cannabis Legalization Party and the party’s West Metropolitan MP David Ettershank said it was a victory.
