A Caroline Springs mother has welcomed a law change that protects medicinal cannabis patients from automatically losing their licence if they test positive to the drug while driving.
As of March 1, the Road Safety Act was amended to allow magistrates to exercise sentencing discretion for drivers who test positive for the
cannabinoid chemical tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) if they hold a valid prescription for medicinal cannabis and are unimpaired while driving.
Ms Davy, who takes medicinal cannabis to manger her multiple sclerosis and endometriosis, said the change was long overdue.
“I am so thankful we have a government that is willing to listen to the experts and patients when it comes to medical cannabis and driving,” she said.
“I have been a med can patient for five years now and this law change is so positive for me. I will no longer have to feel anxious getting in the car and going about my day.
“I used to be fearful every time I drove past a police car. As a single mother with multiple chronic illnesses my car is my lifeline. Thank you to the governments for the change in these outdated laws, it really is a no brainer.
“This is our prescribed medication, we have as much of a right as everyone else on a prescribed medication, to drive.”
Western Metropolitan MP David Ettershank, who represents the Legalise Cannabis Party, said medicinal cannabis users lived in fear of losing their licence under the old laws.
He said that prior to the amendment, even trace amounts of THC resulted in a six-month loss of licence for a first offence and Victorian magistrates had no power to intervene.
“From March 1 magistrates have the power to say, ‘You are a medicinal cannabis patient, you have provided your current script, and you weren’t impaired behind the wheel – you can keep your licence’,” he said.
