About: It’s been 25 years since the 1999 NSW drug summit which was delivered less than two months into Bob Carr’s term as Premier. More than a year after Labor took office, in 2024 we still don’t have a date for the promised NSW drug summit. Premier Chris Minns argued passionately for the legalisation of cannabis when Labor was in opposition, saying that ending prohibition would make cannabis “safer, less potent and less criminal.” But since Labor took office, the Minns Government is tripping over itself to pass reactionary laws which make it easier to lock up kids, particularly First Nations, deferring all consideration of any reform of our archaic drug laws until after a drug summit, and then dragging its feet on actually holding one! Join Cate and Jeremy to discuss how to deal with this Labor government back flip and offer far more sensible and effective approaches to drug law reform in NSW.
Speakers: Cate Faehrmann, NSW Greens MLC
& Jeremy Buckingham, NSW Legalise Cannabis MLC
Biographies:
Jeremy Buckingham: Over two decades I’ve been a passionate advocate for community, the environment and common-sense laws that serve the needs of the people. As an experienced MP with a reputation for honesty, conviction and commitment, it’s an honour and a privilege to serve the people of NSW. In this term, I am committed to bringing about progressive drug law reform, legalising cannabis, fixing the broken RDT system and growing the hemp industry. I am also focused on ensuring that we protect civil liberties, our environment and enact policies that look after the disadvantaged in our society.
Cate Faehrmann is a Greens Member of the NSW Legislative Council. Her areas of policy interest include urgently needed drug law reform. In 2021, Cate introduced An Act to amend the [NSW] Road Transport Act 2013 to exclude users of medicinal cannabis from the offence relating to driving with the presence of certain drugs in a person’s oral fluid. Cate has admitted to the personal use of recreational drugs, including cannabis and medicinal CBD products and has been leading a campaign to Rethink Reform drug laws as the Greens Drug Law Reform spokesperson.