A REPORT by a group of prominent Australians that recommends Australia rethink its criminalisation of illicit drugs has been backed by the Victorian branch of the Australian Medical Association.

The report recommended that cannabis and ecstasy be decriminalised for people aged 16 and older, who are willing to be recorded on a national confidential user's register. Users would be able to purchase drugs from an approved supplier, likely a chemist.

"It is really important that we ... don't allow ourselves to become close-minded about the best way to deal with drug problems in our society" ... Victorian AMA president, Dr Stephen Parnis.

The report, prepared by the not-for-profit think tank Australia21, said prohibition had failed, leaving the manufacture and supply of illicit drugs in the hands of ''criminal elements'' and without proper safeguards and quality control.

The Victorian AMA president, Stephen Parnis, said drugs policy should be based on evidence. ''We cannot allow prejudice to drive drugs policy in this country,'' he said. ''It is really important that we keep looking at the evidence on this issue and don't allow ourselves to become closed-minded about the best way to deal with drug problems in our society.''