CANNABIS COMMITTEE SCHEDULES HEARINGS AT NSW PARLIAMENT AND LISMORE
By Robert Heyward
The Upper House committee investigating the regulatory framework for cannabis in New South Wales is set to conduct its second and third hearings on Monday, 19 August, at the NSW Parliament, and Tuesday, 20 August, at Invercauld House in Goonellabah.
The hearing on Monday will feature testimony from a diverse group of legal experts, medical professionals, academic scholars, medicinal cannabis companies, and representatives from Uniting NSW/ACT.
Committee Chair, the Hon. Jeremy Buckingham MLC, expressed the committee’s eagerness to gather insights from these experts, stating, “It has become increasingly evident that our current cannabis laws have failed in the past and continue to fall short today. We look forward to hearing from the witnesses on how we can establish a regulatory framework that is fair, practical, and beneficial for the entire community.”
The committee will continue its inquiry on Tuesday in Lismore, where it will hear from a medicinal cannabis cultivator and manufacturer, academic researchers, activists, legal service providers, the Ted Noffs Foundation, and most importantly, individuals with lived experience.
Mr. Buckingham emphasised the importance of these personal testimonies, saying, “Hearing directly from those affected by the inequities of current cannabis laws is crucial to this inquiry. We’ve received evidence of barriers to accessing medicinal cannabis, the adverse effects of driving laws on those who need medicinal cannabis, and the uneven application of the Cannabis Cautioning Scheme. It is vital that we listen to regional stakeholders who can offer firsthand perspectives on these critical issues.”
Members of the public are invited to attend the hearings in person or watch the live broadcast on the NSW Parliament’s website.
To attend the hearings, members of the public have two options:
- In-Person Attendance:
- Monday, 19 August 2024: The hearing will be held at the NSW Parliament in Sydney.
- Tuesday, 20 August 2024: The hearing will take place at Invercauld House, Goonellabah in Lismore.
- There is no need to register in advance, but it is advisable to arrive early to secure seating as space may be limited.
- Online Attendance:
- The hearings will be broadcast live on the NSW Parliament’s website. You can watch the proceedings from anywhere by visiting the site during the scheduled times.
For further details on timing, location, and how to access the live broadcast, please visit the inquiry’s webpage.
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