The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) has called on the governments of Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand to run trials of regulated cannabis markets.
The call came in a position statement issued by the RACP outlining the rationale and evidence for a health-focused approach to drug policy.
The body also said driving regulations should be reviewed to “optimise individual and public safety, while minimising unnecessary infringements upon civil liberties and avoiding stigma towards people who use drugs”.
“The focus should be on deterring and detecting impairment as a consequence of drug use,” it added.
The RACP called for the decriminalisation of personal drug use to be accelerated and applied across drug classes and communities, and for greater use of court and police diversion programs for all people who have committed drug-related and non-violent crimes.
The RACP trains, educates and advocates on behalf of more than 32,000 physicians and trainee physicians representing a broad range of medical specialties across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand .
Beyond the drive for medical excellence, the body is committed to developing health and social policies which improve the wellbeing of patients, the medical profession and the community.
Drug policy think tank the Penington Institute welcomed the statement.
“We thank the RACP for their commitment to evidence-based policymaking and hope this official position statement will encourage others to consider the public health, criminal justice, and economic benefits that a regulated cannabis market would create for all Australians,” it said.
To read the position statement in full, click here.
What a refreshing approach!