Cannabis made legal in Canberra

Australians living in the home of the country’s parliament will be allowed to grow and possess small amounts of cannabis from next year under a new law passed yesterday.

While the possession of small amounts has been decriminalised in some parts of the country, the Australian Capital Territory–home of Canberra, the nation’s capital–is going a step further and will legalise it for personal use. People aged over 18 will be allowed to possess up to 50 grams  of cannabis and cultivate two plants—or a maximum of four per household.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr said although the territory’s government “does not condone or encourage the recreational use of cannabis or other illicit drugs”, it was time to acknowledge that outright prohibition was no longer an effective policy. The change marks the first time it has been fully legalised anywhere in Australia.

The federal government, however, has the power to overturn the law—and has done in the past when faced with controversial legalisation passed by Australia’s territories, such as voluntary euthanasia.

 

Cannabis made legal in Canberra

Australians living in the home of the countrys parliament will be allowed to grow and possess small amounts of cannabis from next year under a new law passed yesterday. While the possession of small amounts has been decriminalised in some parts of the country, the Australian Capital Territoryhome of Canberra, the nations capitalis going a step further and will legalise it for personal use. People aged over 18 will be allowed to possess up to 50 grams of cannabis and cultivate two plantsor a maximum of four per household. Chief Minister Andrew Barr said although the territorys government does not condone or encourage the recreational use of cannabis or other illicit drugs, it was time to acknowledge that outright prohibition was no longer an effective policy. The change marks the first time it has been fully legalised anywhere in Australia. The federal government, however, has the power to overturn the lawand has done in the past when faced with controversial legalisation passed by Australias territories, such as voluntary euthanasia.