MEDIA RELEASE

10 May 2018

Leyonhjelm Cannabis Bill Progressing

Legal recreational marijuana moved a step closer today with the Senate agreeing to hold an inquiry into removing restrictions via a Liberal Democrats Bill.

Senator David Leyonhjelm introduced his Removing Commonwealth Restrictions on Cannabis Bill in the Senate yesterday.

“I proposed that the Senate Legislation Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs examine my Bill, and am delighted that the Senate has today agreed to such an Inquiry,” Senator Leyonhjelm said.

“My Bill has been years in the preparation and reflects the long-standing policy of the Liberal Democrats to legalise cannabis.

“It complements my costing obtained from the Parliamentary Budget Office in 2016.”

Senator Leyonhjelm said he urged all interested parties to make submissions to the inquiry.

“This is the cautious, deliberate process required to eventually achieve progress in this area,” he said.

“I welcome the recent announcement from the Greens that they now support the legalisation of cannabis and I await their proposed bill, notwithstanding my disagreements over design.”

A factsheet on the Liberal Democrats’ Bill compared to the Greens’ recent announcement is attached.

Media: Kelly Burke 0408 734 586



