Morgan BellMarijuana Laws in Australia
May 19th 2009 07:56
State by state:
VICTORIA
Possession of cannabis is a criminal offence, but first or second-time offenders with less than 50 grams may be cautioned.
NSW
Possession is criminal, but with less than 15 grams, offenders can receive up to two cautions.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Government plans to decriminalise possession of up to 30 grams or up to two non-hydroponic plants, but $200 fines will apply. First-time offenders are now cautioned.
QUEENSLAND
Possession is criminal, but adults may be cautioned.
ACT
Possession of up to 25 grams, or five plants, is not a criminal offence but carries a $100 fine.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Possession by adults of not more than 100 grams or one non-hydroponic plant is not criminal but carries fines of up to $150.
TASMANIA
Possession is criminal, but offenders with less than 50 grams may be cautioned.
NORTHERN TERRITORY
Possession by adults of up to 50 grams or two plants is not criminal, but carries a fine of $100.
National Drug Research Institute - May 23rd, 2003
Cannabis Cautioning Scheme in NSW
On 3 April 2000, the NSW Government introduced the Cannabis Cautioning Scheme. Under this scheme, police can issue a caution to adults in possession of up to 15g of cannabis leaf (about enough for 15-25 joints). A Caution provides a warning of the health and legal consequences of using cannabis and information on where to seek treatment.
This scheme does not mean that cannabis is now legal or decriminalised. Rather that police have the discretion to issue a caution for small amounts of cannabis. At all times police retain the option of charging people for these offences.
In NSW, if you are found guilty of possessing or using cannabis, you could get a fine of up to $2,200, and/or other penalties including community service work or a term in prison of up to 2 years.
These penalties apply to both adults and young people aged between 10 and 18 years. For growing, importing or selling cannabis, the penalties are more severe. The severity of the penalty depends on the amount of cannabis, if it was being sold, and if you have prior convictions.
You are breaking the law if you possess, use, grow, import or sell cannabis (marijuana), cannabis resin (hash) or hash oil. You may get a criminal record if you are found guilty of possessing, selling or growing cannabis. This makes it hard to get a job, a credit card, or a visa to travel to other countries.
Download a helpful brochure from NSW Police HERE
VICTORIA
Possession of cannabis is a criminal offence, but first or second-time offenders with less than 50 grams may be cautioned.
NSW
Possession is criminal, but with less than 15 grams, offenders can receive up to two cautions.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Government plans to decriminalise possession of up to 30 grams or up to two non-hydroponic plants, but $200 fines will apply. First-time offenders are now cautioned.
QUEENSLAND
Possession is criminal, but adults may be cautioned.
ACT
Possession of up to 25 grams, or five plants, is not a criminal offence but carries a $100 fine.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Possession by adults of not more than 100 grams or one non-hydroponic plant is not criminal but carries fines of up to $150.
TASMANIA
Possession is criminal, but offenders with less than 50 grams may be cautioned.
NORTHERN TERRITORY
Possession by adults of up to 50 grams or two plants is not criminal, but carries a fine of $100.
National Drug Research Institute - May 23rd, 2003
Cannabis Cautioning Scheme in NSW
On 3 April 2000, the NSW Government introduced the Cannabis Cautioning Scheme. Under this scheme, police can issue a caution to adults in possession of up to 15g of cannabis leaf (about enough for 15-25 joints). A Caution provides a warning of the health and legal consequences of using cannabis and information on where to seek treatment.
This scheme does not mean that cannabis is now legal or decriminalised. Rather that police have the discretion to issue a caution for small amounts of cannabis. At all times police retain the option of charging people for these offences.
In NSW, if you are found guilty of possessing or using cannabis, you could get a fine of up to $2,200, and/or other penalties including community service work or a term in prison of up to 2 years.
These penalties apply to both adults and young people aged between 10 and 18 years. For growing, importing or selling cannabis, the penalties are more severe. The severity of the penalty depends on the amount of cannabis, if it was being sold, and if you have prior convictions.
You are breaking the law if you possess, use, grow, import or sell cannabis (marijuana), cannabis resin (hash) or hash oil. You may get a criminal record if you are found guilty of possessing, selling or growing cannabis. This makes it hard to get a job, a credit card, or a visa to travel to other countries.
Download a helpful brochure from NSW Police HERE
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Comment by Janet Collins
Acceptable Etiquette
The Social Critic
Janet Collins Blog
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Business News
yeah no wonder so many people take short breaks to Canberra, theyve got the porn, the fireworks, AND the pot haha
it seems like one of those things where there are laws that are rarely enforced
Comment by Jason King
Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
It maybe time for a trip to Canberra
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Business News
ill pack the car and pick you up in halfa lol
im surprised the federal government hasnt ordered the states to decriminalise it so they can tax it
perhaps thats the next step after the cautioning schemes succeed?
tally ho . . .
Comment by Wilson Pon
Health 2 Know
Adventure Toes
boxing sound
Business Rope
Fun Places 2 Travel
I can be sure about one thing here that I'm not a fan of this Marijuana stuff! lol
Comment by Jason King
Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
I always thought they should make ciggies illegal, make alcohol an only in your own premises drug and mary jane legal. They could make so much money and then if pubs were all pot places there would be no fighting, and a happy peaceful society.
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Business News
yeah SA, WA, and the ACT are the most lenient
even if you dont support recreational use, i notice many people now acknowledge the health benefits for people suffering chronic pain or nausea
they test for marijuana use on the roads and in many workplaces now, being stoned is considered as irresponsible as being drunk when you are operating heavy machinery or vehicles
i think marijuana is becoming more and more mainstream
hi Jason,
wow imagine the serenity of going to a "pot bar" haha
compared to alcohol, i agree alcohol is the more aggressive drug, it causes some people to fly of the handle unprovoked, and we have known for a long time its one of the major contributing cause in domestic abuse and road fatalities
funny how was tolerate some things and not others
not that i want my booze taken off me, just saying
Comment by Someone
Evil Pleasures
Random Musings on Life, Love and Everything
Let's Get Down To Business
My friend has been to one in Amsterdam. Apparently, it's the coolest place on the entire planet.
I wrote an essay on the economics of drugs in Australia around a week ago. I'll put it up if anyone's interested. Agreed though, tax is undoubtedly the way forward.
How do I know so much on this subject? What, me, a stoner? Never!
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Business News
so QLD has come more into line with NSW?
is it still criminal with the option for the police to caution?
i would love to see your essay, please post the link here and i will check it out!
stoners rock the kazbar haha
Comment by Someone
Evil Pleasures
Random Musings on Life, Love and Everything
Let's Get Down To Business
I put that essay up Right around here.
Comment by Eazy
No money would leave the country for out sorced supply. Less people in Jail. Hemp should be a main crop instead of cotton farming (Lots of water and salinity,land degredation etc). Other countrys have great success with it. I think their a bit worried that it might put the country on its ass and everyone on the dole smoking pot. Other drugs would not be so marketable if pot was legal. There would be no sustainable capital on other drugs that would be out wieghed by risk. I think cafe controll and product controll is a far thing like they do in Amsterdam to minamise over use. goverment taxed profits could go torwards hospitals and medical reserch, such as stem cells. Cropping would save the country in many ways and lots of other products that are on the market here can become more mainstream ie oils, soap, clothing, shampoo, all biogradable products and a very water efficent soil binding fast growing crop that can produce anything cotton dose. It got all thumbs up from me and i don't smoke but i do love our planet
Comment by penis face
Comment by Anonymous
the black markets make to much $$$$$$ it so dum you will end up poor or heart or too the end.
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Anonymous
i was "cautioned"
all i had was a bag of leaf.....
this world fucking hates me ....."i swear"
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Anonymous
In small doses pot it fine as the recovery time is reduced to days not months but long term or heavy use can be a real problem. I have friend how have gone down this path and it can result in significnat lifestyle impacts.
Legalisation would be great, but controls are needed.
Comment by Anonymous
In small doses pot it fine as the recovery time is reduced to days not months but long term or heavy use can be a real problem. I have friend how have gone down this path and it can result in significnat lifestyle impacts.
Legalisation would be great, but controls are needed.
Comment by Anonymous
In small doses pot it fine as the recovery time is reduced to days not months but long term or heavy use can be a real problem. I have friend how have gone down this path and it can result in significnat lifestyle impacts.
Legalisation would be great, but controls are needed.
Comment by Anonymous
In small doses pot it fine as the recovery time is reduced to days not months but long term or heavy use can be a real problem. I have friend how have gone down this path and it can result in significnat lifestyle impacts.
Legalisation would be great, but controls are needed.
Comment by Anonymous
In small doses pot it fine as the recovery time is reduced to days not months but long term or heavy use can be a real problem. I have friend how have gone down this path and it can result in significnat lifestyle impacts.
Legalisation would be great, but controls are needed.
Comment by Anonymous
In small doses pot it fine as the recovery time is reduced to days not months but long term or heavy use can be a real problem. I have friend how have gone down this path and it can result in significnat lifestyle impacts.
Legalisation would be great, but controls are needed.
Comment by Anonymous
In small doses pot it fine as the recovery time is reduced to days not months but long term or heavy use can be a real problem. I have friend how have gone down this path and it can result in significnat lifestyle impacts.
Legalisation would be great, but controls are needed.
Comment by Anonymous
In small doses pot it fine as the recovery time is reduced to days not months but long term or heavy use can be a real problem. I have friend how have gone down this path and it can result in significnat lifestyle impacts.
Legalisation would be great, but controls are needed.
Comment by Anonymous
In small doses pot it fine as the recovery time is reduced to days not months but long term or heavy use can be a real problem. I have friend how have gone down this path and it can result in significnat lifestyle impacts.
Legalisation would be great, but controls are needed.
Comment by Anonymous
In small doses pot it fine as the recovery time is reduced to days not months but long term or heavy use can be a real problem. I have friend how have gone down this path and it can result in significnat lifestyle impacts.
Legalisation would be great, but controls are needed.
Comment by Anonymous
In small doses pot it fine as the recovery time is reduced to days not months but long term or heavy use can be a real problem. I have friend how have gone down this path and it can result in significnat lifestyle impacts.
Legalisation would be great, but controls are needed.
Comment by Anonymous
In small doses pot it fine as the recovery time is reduced to days not months but long term or heavy use can be a real problem. I have friend how have gone down this path and it can result in significnat lifestyle impacts.
Legalisation would be great, but controls are needed.
Comment by Anonymous
In small doses pot it fine as the recovery time is reduced to days not months but long term or heavy use can be a real problem. I have friend how have gone down this path and it can result in significnat lifestyle impacts.
Legalisation would be great, but controls are needed.
Comment by Anonymous
In small doses pot it fine as the recovery time is reduced to days not months but long term or heavy use can be a real problem. I have friend how have gone down this path and it can result in significnat lifestyle impacts.
Legalisation would be great, but controls are needed.
Comment by Someone
Evil Pleasures
Random Musings on Life, Love and Everything
Let's Get Down To Business
But seriously...
Exactly right! In fact, there should be a law that says you can have 3 beers at the bar TOPS, and only once a week, because long term or heavy use can be a real problem. Because the Government is MUCH better equipped to know what each individual can and can't handle than we are.
/endsarcasm
This is a crock. As a regular member of the stoner community over many years, I can tell you for every ounce of weed that the cops find and confiscate, there are a hundred that get past them. Legalize it, and you can tax all of that... and because the price is already so high in the black market, the government can put huge taxes on it and keep prices relatively steady. California not long ago estimated that they could earn billions (!!!) in tax every year from the legalization and tax of pot.
Even if you want to assume that the government won't earn much money off it, there are other compelling arguments for legalization: the fact that weed is incredibly easy to get now and legalization won't make it that much more accessible than it already is, the guarantee of quality and controls on additives, control over who has access to the market (at the moment it is just as easy for a 13 year old to get pot as it is for a 33 year old), the list goes on.
I posted a link to an essay I wrote on the subject somewhere above.
Comment by School girl
Could someone tell me, when these laws came in, like what year? I'm doing it for a reform assignment in economics.
But my teacher needs to approve it first if its from 1980's onward.
Cheers
Comment by Anonymous
I occasionally drink with friends but haven't been 'clubbing' or whatever you call it now in a couple of years and rarely get smashed... however, i do smoke. I have smoked for 11 years and while i can say it has been detrimental in quite a few ways, i am careful with the way i use it and it has never affected any job or (non parental) relationship.
When i was younger though i had loads of alcohol related problems and i find it utterly ludicrous that i am forced by society to take IT rather than cannabis, alcohol is far more harmful (somatically and neurologically), it affects me much more detrimentally than cannabis and it has effects that last days (hangovers)!
Anyway, cannabis can not kill you. Ever. It may effect the way you drive or operate machinery like many other drugs out there but unlike alcohol (which it is ridiculously easy to overdose on), the toxicity of THC (CBD is non-toxic ) is so low that unless you die from smoke inhalation (CO poisoning), you cannot possibly OD from cannabis.
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Someone
Evil Pleasures
Random Musings on Life, Love and Everything
Let's Get Down To Business
What she means is, in certain states you are allowed to have a certain amount for personal use legally, but once you have passed this amount you are classified as a dealer and it is illegal. However, I would not use the "Morgan said it was legal so I just went with it" as a defence in a court of law, do your own research or ask a lawyer if you are interested in the technicalities of your states' laws.
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Anonymous