Legalise Cannabis Victoria praises the arrival of pill testing in Victoria for summer 

The Legalise Cannabis Party has applauded the announcement that pill-testing is coming to Victoria in time for the summer music festival season. 

Legalise Cannabis Victoria joined with two other crossbench parties, the Victorian Greens and the Animal Justice Party, to introduce a Pill Testing for Drug Harm Reduction Bill last year. 

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan announced on June 24 that Victoria would trial pill testing of illicit drugs in the summer – a reversal of Labor’s previous opposition to drug analysis. 

Pill testing minimises harm  

Legalise Cannabis MP Rachel Payne said she delighted to learn that pill testing would soon be available in Victoria. 

“Pill testing is sensible policy reform,” Ms Payne said.  

“Multiple experts, including coroners and harm reduction specialists have called for a harm-minimisation, health-led approach when it comes to totally preventable deaths related to drug-taking. 

“Pill testing saves lives – the evidence is clear. I am thankful to the Premier and Minister Ingrid Stitt for showing leadership on this issue and responding to the calls for change.  

“This is not about politics, as we have seen crossbench colleagues come together to call for reform. It’s about good policy that saves lives. 

“Now it’s important that we see these services rolled out in a way that is going to keep people safe ahead of the summer festival period when we know young people are at increased risk.” 

Fellow Legalise Cannabis MP David Ettershank said the ACT first trialled pill testing at the music festival Grooving the Moo in 2018 and again in 2019.  

“Then in July 2022 Australia’s first ever fixed pill testing service – CanTEST was set up in Canberra,” he said. “It’s proved effective in the ACT and we are so grateful it’s now coming to Victoria.”