Cannabis: Decriminalisation of Personal Possession and Recreational Use (P.31/2024) – amendment (P.31/2024 Amd.) – amendment (P.31/2024 Amd.Amd.) – Children’s Rights Impact Assessment

1)  Name and brief description of the proposed decision

The subject of your CRIA may be a proposed law, policy or proposition and in accordance with the Law is referred to in this template as the decision'

• What is the problem or issue the decision is trying to address?

• Do children experience this problem differently from adults?

Amendment to P.31/2024 Cannabis: Decriminalisation of Personal Possession and Recreational Use (P.31/2024) - amendment

An amendment to P.31/2024(Amd) is required to amend an aspect of the amendment to remove the direction to the Minister for Health and Social Services to reclassify cannabinol and cannabinol derivatives from Class A to Class B controlled drugs.

2)  Which groups of children and young people are likely to be affected?

Groups of children could include early years, primary or secondary education; young adults; children with additional learning needs; disabled children; children living in poverty; children from particular ethnic backgrounds; migrants; refugees; care experienced children and LGBTQ+ children

None directly affected by the amendment.

3)  What is the likely impact of the proposed decision on children and on their rights?

• Identify any potential positive OR negative impacts and include indirect impacts on children and their rights as described in the UNCRC

• Will different groups of children be affected differently by this decision?

The amendment will, if approved, amend P.31/2024(Amd) to remove the direction to the Minister for Health and Social Services to reclassify cannabinol and cannabinol derivatives from Class A controlled drugs to Class B controlled drugs. It will still require the Minister for Health and Social Services to seek advice from the Misuse of Drugs Advisory Council on the proposed reclassification.

4)  Is a full Children's Rights Impact Assessment required?

If you have identified impacts on children and their rights, a full CRIA should be completed. If no impacts are identified then a Full CRIA is not required, but please explain your rationale and how you reached this conclusion

No, see above. The amendment centres on the key proposal of P.31/2024(Amd) which is to direct the Minister for Health and Social Services to reclassify cannabinol and cannabinol derivatives from Class A to Class B controlled drugs.