Impact of the regulatory framework for cannabis in New South Wales
17 May 2024
The ALA has made a submission to the NSW Parliament Legislative Council’s Portfolio Committee No. 1 - Premier and Finance (‘Committee’) as part of the Committee’s inquiry into the impact of the regulatory framework for cannabis in NSW.
In our submission, the ALA addresses:
- the current approach to cannabis in NSW; and
- ways to enhance the approach to cannabis in NSW – namely, the need for decriminalisation, as well as raising the minimum age of criminal responsibility.
The NSW Government’s response to the NSW Parliament Legislative Council Portfolio Committee No. 1 - Premier and Finance’s first inquiry report was tabled in February 2025. The NSW Government is considering 11 reform measures, including reducing penalties for cannabis possession, and will provide a further response on the implementation of these reforms in 12 months.
In September 2025 the NSW Government published its response to the Final Report.
ALA submission
Hearing testimony from Greg Barns SC (1 August 2024), pp.9-14
Responses to questions on notice (27 August 2024)
First report
Government Response (February 2025)
Final report
Government Response (September 2025)