Road safety reform remains trapped in the halls of government bureaucracy
Dr Brian Walker questions why the government is still sitting on a vital safety report concerning medicinal cannabis patients and their ability to drive legally.
The waiting game
In the quiet corridors of the House, progress often moves at a glacial pace. Today, I raised a question regarding the Medicinal Cannabis and Safe Driving Working Group report. For those who rely on medicinal cannabis, this is not merely a bureaucratic interest. This is a matter of autonomy and fair access to the community. My question was simple: has the Minister for Road Safety seen the report, and when will we see action? The response was a familiar refrain. The report remains under consideration.
The weight of the doctor's coat
In my decades of practice as a doctor, I have seen the damage caused by disjointed policies. When I sit with a patient, I look at the evidence. I diagnose the problem and recommend a path forward. I do not tell them to wait indefinitely while their health or dignity suffers. Sadly, this is exactly what is happening to thousands of Western Australians who are being unfairly penalised for using prescribed medication. We have a growing tribe of forward-thinkers who want science-led reform. We are tired of being told to wait while the fundamental rights of patients are ignored.
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Why delays are dangerous
This is not just about a missing report. It is about the visceral reality of a driver who is properly medicated but remains terrified of losing their licence. It is a waiting room where medical autonomy goes to die. Every day that we ignore the findings of the Working Group is another day that good people are caught in a punitive system that refuses to evolve. The government has the information. They have the clarity. Yet, they choose to keep the status quo at the steering wheel.
I will continue to press for answers until we reach a conclusion that respects both the science and the individuals involved. You can read the full account of my exchange in the official Hansard record. If you believe it is time for a more rational, compassionate approach to health and policy, I invite you to join Legalise Cannabis WA and help us make this change a reality.
