Illegal drugs and cannabis
Senator Gilroy requests a debate on illegal drugs, citing evidence that high-potency cannabis increases young people’s risk of serious mental-health problems.
In light of recent calls for a Minister of State to be appointed with responsibility for the implementation of the drugs task force recommendations, I ask the Leader if we could have a debate on the use of illegal drugs. A recent report in The Lancet indicated that the increasing prevalence of high potency cannabis use among young people in particular is putting people at a much greater risk of developing major mental health problems, despite what I would call some irresponsible public commentators saying publicly that there is no health risk associated with the use of cannabis. The literature is clear on the matter. The Leader might arrange for a debate in the House at his convenience.