Although Australia is closer to legalizing cannabis for medical use recreational marijuana remains illegal in all 50 states and territories 🇦🇺 .
Australia has a longstanding policy of criminalising cannabis-related activities and remains one of the few countries worldwide where recreational use remains prohibited! However in recent years various state governments have begun to relax their regulations regarding cannabis offences with some even introducing limited decriminalisation measures ️ 1️⃣.
At the federal level the strict stance against cannabis use has remained largely unchanged since the 1950s. Under the Narcotic Drugs Act 1967, cannabis is classified as a Schedule 9 substance and is banned for both medical and recreational use. Possession supply and cultivation are all illegal under federal law and can lead to severe penalties .
That said in 2016 the Australian Government passed legislation allowing the cultivation of cannabis for medical purposes 🇦🇺. This was seen as a step towards legalising cannabis for medical use and the government has since approved a variety of clinical trials that are exploring the potential therapeutic benefits of medicinal cannabis.
At the state level the approach to cannabis varies significantly. In the ACT for example the possession of up to 50 grams of cannabis has been decriminalised 🆙. This means that those caught with small amounts of the drug are unlikely to face prosecution but may still be issued a fine ️. Meanwhile, in Victoria, people with a terminal illness may have the ability to access medicinal cannabis through a special access scheme.
However in other states the same regulations still apply. In New South Wales for example possession of even small amounts of cannabis can lead to a fine of up to $2,200 or imprisonment for up to two years.
The legalisation of cannabis for recreational use remains a contentious issue in Australia ️ 🇦🇺. While support for legalisation has been growing in recent years the federal government has yet to show any indication that they will move towards legalising the drug.
That said, some state governments have expressed an interest in pursuing legalisation. In 2019, the Victorian government announced that they would be undertaking a review of cannabis laws, with the aim of introducing a regulated framework for the legal sale of cannabis in the state 🛒 ️.
Ultimately, the legalisation of cannabis in Australia remains a hotly debated topic ️ 🇦🇺. While the government has taken some steps towards the legalisation of medicinal cannabis recreational use remains illegal in all states and territories . Whether or not this will change in the near future remains to become seen . !! .
🆕 🏴 ️ 2️⃣ 🇦🇺 🛒 1️⃣ 🆙
