Shoalhaven Greens councillor Nina Cheyne has thrown her support behind calls from Greens leader Richard Di Natale to legalise cannabis.
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Cr Cheyne works full time as a Parkinson’s nurse, and can see the advantages of medicinal use of the drug.
“I work in the health arena and there has been some evidence that it helps with pain, epilepsy, and neuro-degenerative diseases,” she said.
“For some people it can lead to psychosis, but that is a small minority.”
Cr Cheyne said cannabis was no worse than legal drugs like alcohol and nicotine.
She is concerned with the stigma attached to cannabis use, particularly for young people.
“Having a criminal record sets them up for failure,” Cr Cheyne said.
“I’m not a fan of drugs, but there needs to be a national conversation about it.”
There are concerns that more people would be drug driving with cannabis in their system if laws were to change.
“That is a concern, that’s not something we want,” Cr Cheyne said.
“People need to see some regulation involved around marijuana, keeping our community safe is paramount.”
