Queensland's peak medical bodies have welcomed steps to decriminalise minor drug possession as a positive step towards a health-based approach to drug use.
Under the proposed laws, people caught with small amounts of the full spectrum of illicit drugs and pharmaceuticals will get a warning for a first offence before being offered diversion programs.
The changes aim to prevent people from developing substance abuse disorders and free up police time so they can focus on larger local drug manufacturers and traffickers.
The laws will limit the quantity of drugs, but those who commit minor drug offences and serious crimes or have previously been jailed for serious drug crimes won't be eligible.
The Alcohol and Drug Foundation, Australian Medical Association Queensland (AMA Queensland), Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and the Queensland Network of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies (QNADA) support the proposed legislation.
"Alcohol and other drug use should be seen through a health lens, and little is gained by throwing the book at people and putting them in the 'too-hard basket'," RACGP Queensland Chair Dr Bruce Willett said.
"This is not about endorsing illicit drug use ... the changes have actually been requested by the police service."
AMAQ president Dr Maria Boulton said the issue needed a community response, while Alcohol and Drug Foundation CEO Dr Erin Lalor agreed it would would encourage people to seek help
"We know that many Queenslanders would prefer people in possession of small amounts of drugs to receive a caution or warning or be referred to treatment or an education program," Dr Lalor said.
The proposed laws would also increase the maximum sentence for trafficking dangerous drugs from 25 years to life imprisonment.
The parliamentary Legal Affairs and Safety Committee will examine the bill.
