In recognition of the government's thrust to continue to develop increased opportunities for Mordusian citizens, Attorney-General Arthur Galashiels introduced the "Cannabis Control Bill" with the aim of allowing for the commercialisation of cannabis cultivation. During his speech before the Senate, Attorney-General Galashiels noted that the government has decriminalised cannabis underneath former Attorney-General, Addison Wenham. Galashiels noted that underneath Wenham's reign in the Office of the Attorney-General, some 30,000 persons were released from prison/remand amidst the decision to decriminalise small procession. During her piloting of the motion to decriminalise small quantities, Attorney-General Wenham lamented that the government was aiming to free up space in the nation's prisons for more serious crimes and to allow for state and federal police to focus their resources on more pressing matters. Underneath the Wenham reforms, cannabis/marijuana possession amounting to around 90 grams would be decriminalised, with possession above the aforementioned quantity being viewed as too much for an individual to use and thus forcing the conclusion of trafficking. When hammered on the conclusion that possession above the aforementioned 90 grams would be considered trafficking and would be liable to a fine, Attorney-General Wenham reminded lawmakers that cannabis was not legal in multiple nations, and thus the government had to contemplate conflicts between Mordusian laws and the laws of other nations. According to Attorney-General Galashiels, possessions of Class A Drugs remain a criminal offence. He noted that the government remained extremely cautious as it pertaining to decriminalising Class A drugs, stating that further consultations with stakeholders such as the Federal Police, the various Prisons/Correctional authorities of the states and territories. He explained that the issue of beginning the process to look at decriminalising some Class A drugs isn't as easy as waltzing into the Federal Parliament with a Miscellaneous Provisions legislation and amending the law, but there was a need to ensure that everyone was on board with the concept and were aware of its effects/impact.
The Cannabis Control legislation as it stands allows for the cultivation, processing and subsequent sale of cannabis and cannabis-related products. It paves the path for the development/creation of a recreational market in Mordusia. The reforms as outlined in the legislation outlines that the government would establish an agency responsible for regulating the processing of products, establishing standards, issuing and revoking licenses and assisting the government in forming policy directions to ensure that the agency remains on top of modern developments in the global market. Attorney-General Galashiels lamented that although the government had no intention of placing individuals in prison for marijuana/cannabis possession, it was prepared to do so for persons who contradict the standards as established by the Cannabis Control Board. According to the legislation, the Cannabis Control Board would be responsible for:
(a) establishing standards for the cultivation, importation and exportation of cannabis and cannabis-related products.
(b) establishing a system of licenses through which persons and businesses must attain as a means of being in compliance with this legislation and its subordinate clauses.
(c) establishing and maintain an electronic tracking system to monitor the handling of raw cannabis products/materials.
(d) making provisions for the use and regulation of medicinal cannabis in healthcare.
(e) providing recommendations on policy to the central government.
(f) conducting inspections and other related enforcement to ensure compliance with licenses by handlers of cannabis and cannabis-related products.
(g) establishing requirement/conditions for licenses.
Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture Cameron Rigg noted that the commercialisation of cultivation allowed for numerous potential in terms of production and processing. He noted that various products can be produced from the processing of cannabis including Cannabis Oil, Cannabis Beverages, Cannabis Chocolates, Cannabis Dog Treats etc. He stated that in recognition of the fact that cannabis cultivators could potentially be discriminated against in the private sector in their search for lots to establish their processing facilities and also financing, Minister Rigg stated that the government had already begun an RFP (request for proposals) on the construction of four agro-processing plants throughout the country to allow for persons entering the cannabis cultivation and processing industry to have the facilities necessary to carry about their respective businesses. On the subject of financing for equipment, upgrades and other related matters, Minister Rigg stated that the Agricultural Development Bank had begun discussions with the banking firms in Mordusia on allowing for a weed cultivation grant scheme to be facilitated through the banks. Equipment grants and seedling grants would be handled primarily by the ADB and would not be subject to increased scrutiny beyond what those operating in other agricultural sectors such as the cultivation of cash crops, mariculture and aquaponics are already experiencing. Minister Rigg stated that he had a particular interest in bridging the numerous universities across the country and potential cannabis producers on research and development schemes. He noted that the universities could potentially allow for academic research to be conducted in new and emerging cannabis science. As it pertains to exports, Federal Minister of Trade and Industry Lisa Freitag stated that the Export-Import Bank of Mordusia would work tirelessly with cannabis producers on getting their products onto the international market and ensuring their quality be above the global average.