I am currently serving a 6 month suspension for having cannibis in my system while driving. However, I had only consumed cannibis two days prior to the test. The test is a positive or negative test, it has no way of indicating the level of substance in your system and does not determine wether you are under the influence or not. Further more the penalty states that I had cannibis in my system but not under the influence of the drug! What kind of law allows one’s license to be suspended for this reason. These tests should be improved or removed. The government is allowing innocent people including medical cannibis users to be harshly penalised. This law is unjust and flawed, magistrates have resigned over it and there is mounting pressure for reform.

I moved to Avoca Victoria, 2 years ago, I live here alone and  away from my immediate family and friends and I work in the wine industry. My immediate family live in Melbourne and New Zealand, I commute every two weeks to Melbourne to see my partner and my brother. My partner has a disability and she’s not able to drive long distances to see me, she also relies on me when in Melbourne to assist her with difficult tasks. Avoca is a very small town with limited services and almost no public transport, I travel to Maryborough to access much needed resources and services every week. 

My licence is both crucial to my work life, family life and wellbeing. I live on an 11 acre hobby farm still in progress a few kilometres from town so that adds another layer of difficulty to my situation. 

I’m an honest hard working individual who occasionally consumes cannabis and enjoys a fine glass of wine.  I’m astounded that a law like this exists, I thought drug test were aimed at taking drug effected people off the road instead of punishing people for consuming a drug days,  weeks and even months before a test. 

There is contention in the media regarding these tests and their fairness.

This suspension has really effected me, I’m more isolated than I’ve ever been and I’m really struggling at times.

The government is sitting on its hands and allowing innocent people to have their lives turned upside down.