The Drugs Dependence (Personal Cannabis Use) Amendment Bill 2018 to be passed into law in January 2020 will make it lawful in the ACT only to grow 1-4 cannabis plants and possess cannabis material up to 50 grams as long as the person is 18 years and over is not in the presence of a child or in public.
Well I never thought an Australia State or Territory would ever agree to legalising growing and smoking cannabis. Other countries such as South Africa, Canada, Uruguay, Spain and Peru and a handful of states in the United States including Washington DC have allowed cannabis for recreational use for some time now.
What does this mean – firstly a potential exodus of people across Australia to the ACT – more fundamentally after January 2020 you can safely grow cannabis plants and smoke cannabis within the above limits.
What does this then say about the obstacles faced by the many advocates of cannabis use for medicinal purposes?
Time will tell – most likely the ACT will become the Australian leader in medicinal cannabis users and of course others.
I want to acknowledge the courage of the ACT Parliament taking this step. Let’s see if other Australian States’ and Territories follow the leader. I am sure people present facing criminal charges under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 in Western Australia will be feeling quite peeved.
