New South Wales passes medicinal cannabis driving reforms

The New South Wales Parliament has passed legislation to reform driving laws for medicinal cannabis users. The new rules aim to prevent automatic license suspensions for patients who can provide proof of a valid prescription and register with Transport for NSW.

Under the reforms, drivers must return a laboratory THC result below 50 ng/mL to avoid penalties. While roadside testing remains unchanged, any driver returning a positive result will face an immediate 24-hour driving ban while samples undergo laboratory analysis. If the lab result confirms THC levels are below the 50 ng/mL threshold, no further action is taken. If levels meet or exceed the threshold, a three-strike system will apply, consisting of two warnings followed by a $704 fine and a minimum three-month license suspension.

NSW Premier Chris Minns stated the laws would be fairer for the state’s approximately 300,000 medicinal cannabis users. Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison emphasized that the reforms balance patient needs with road safety, noting that driving while impaired remains illegal. However, the opposition has criticized the move as “reckless,” arguing that the legislation lacks a scientifically agreed test for cannabis impairment.