Cannabis legalisation needs to come with relevant 'support programme' argues doctor

University of Notre Dame head of general practice Dr Charlotte Hespe says she is all for the de-criminalisation of cannabis in Australia as long as there is a programme offered to assist the user. Ms Hespe’s comments come as Victorian Greens push for a total de-criminalisation of recreational use. “We really need to understand the unintended consequence, I’m all for de-criminalisation if you look at some of the approaches around the world where you actually make sure that people aren’t being put in prison,” she said. “You actually link it to a programme; ok you’re using cannabis let’s actually make sure we can give you a program that assists you in what is it that’s missing in your life that we are otherwise using cannabis for.” “As a GP who does a lot of addiction medicine, what I know is that people who use cannabis heavily and have all of the high risks, have other needs that need to be met.”