Queensland petition for prescribed-THC driving reform: 5,590
E-Petition 4561-26 — "Reform Queensland Drug Driving Laws for Medically Prescribed THC Patients" — was posted to the Queensland Parliament on 4 June 2026 and closed on 25 August 2026 with 5,590 signatures. The principal petitioner is a Deception Bay resident and retired Australian Defence Force member.
What the petition asks
The petition asks the Legislative Assembly to:
- Amend the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 (Qld) to replace the presence-based THC offence with an impairment-based standard, which the petition describes as aligning Queensland with Tasmania and Victoria.
- Consider a statutory medical defence for drivers using prescribed THC as directed, where there is no evidence of functional impairment.
Its stated grounds: a presence-based offence treats medically compliant patients as illicit drug users; THC detection correlates poorly with impairment because THC can remain detectable for days after any impairing effect has passed; and no other legally prescribed medication in Australia carries criminal penalties based on detection rather than impairment.
Where it sits
As at 16 October 2026, no government response is published on the petition's Parliament page. A predecessor e-petition (4319-25, "End roadside and workplace zero-tolerance of THC for medical cannabis patients", posted October 2025) asked for the same reform from the other direction.
Two pieces of verified context matter for anyone following this campaign: Queensland's drink- and drug-driving penalties double from 1 December 2026, and Transport and Main Roads' review of cannabis and driving policy is with the Queensland Government "for careful consideration".
One correction worth making while reading it: the petition describes an impairment-based standard as aligning Queensland with Tasmania and Victoria. Tasmania is the only Australian jurisdiction with a true medical defence; Victoria retains a presence offence with court licence discretion (since March 2025). The direction of travel is right — the map is slightly off.
What it means for patients
Nothing changes yet. The presence offence applies in full, prescription or not, and penalties are about to double. If you have just tested positive, read what happens next in Queensland, and get legal advice early.
Sources: Queensland Parliament — E-Petition 4561-26 (signatures, dates and prayer text).