Australia’s long, sunny days and naturally hot climates are great for all types of cannabis plants. Maybe this is why marijuana is such a widely accepted commodity here. You see, cannabis for both medical and recreational purposes has been widely authorized by the Australian government. Up until recent years, the recreational use of cannabis was prohibited in this country. But because of the reformation of the cannabis laws which ultimately wound up allowing people to openly use marijuana; this place has transformed itself into a cannabis haven for all marijuana enthusiasts out there.
In this article, we will focus on giving readers an idea about the long history that Australia has with cannabis. We will also discuss how marijuana laws and policies are holding up in Australia today.
HISTORY OF MARIJUANA IN AUSTRALIA
The cannabis plant or hemp was first introduced to Australia by the British colony in hopes of making this a growing commodity throughout the whole nation. The Australian government eagerly accepted this and for hundreds of years, they continuously developed and produced industrial hemp which was exported as a trading commodity. Needless to say, it was an industry that was blossoming at a quick pace in Australia. Up until the early 1900s, cannabis was also smoked as a medical herb commonly used for asthma, flu, and other illnesses.
Just like the rest of the world, Australia started having problems with cannabis during the 1920s. As people started realizing the different psychoactive effects of marijuana and how it affected the productivity of workers, governments were quick to ban the substance. Australia was one of the countries to participate in the 1925 International Opium Convention as one of its signatories. This listed cannabis as an illegal drug.
During the 1950s to 1960s, cannabis was extensively used by citizens across Australia. It was during this time that the hippie movement started and people formed groups that associated marijuana with peace. Because of this, the Australian government pushed through with decriminalizing marijuana. In the following years, cannabis policies were significantly reduced and Australian citizens have been enjoying the cannabis scene ever since.
MARIJUANA IN AUSTRALIA TODAY
In January 2020, Australia decided to legalize the use of cannabis for recreational purposes. Because of the relentless and continued support of citizens regarding the legalization of cannabis, the Australian government reformed its marijuana policies into such that the consumption of marijuana would be publicly accepted but regulated.
Based on numerous studies, around 40% of Australian citizens have openly admitted to trying marijuana. In fact, a staggering 90% of the whole Australian population believed that marijuana legalization was the right way to go, both for medical and recreational purposes.
Recreational use in Australia has been a common activity even before its legalization. Because it was decriminalized so early as compared to other countries, Australian citizens have adapted to the use and consumption of marijuana. Cannabis cultivation is also very common across the whole nation. There are certain seasons in which cannabis has been known to grow abundantly and Australians have been close to perfecting this cultivation process. While there are numerous local weed dispensaries and marijuana clinics in Australia, ordering from online seed banks is also an option. Places such as Crop King Seeds, SunWest Genetics, and MJ Seeds Canada are great options that ship to Australia.
Medical marijuana was legalized in 2016. Because of this, many Australian citizens have resorted to using cannabis as a means of treatment for various conditions. Medication such as Sativex is commonly used in Australia. However, the proper prescription given by a specialized doctor is needed before availing of these medical strains.
LEGALIZATION MARIJUANA IN THE AUSTRALIA:
Based on the existing law, citizens are permitted to cultivate 2 plants per individual in each household. But this may not exceed 4 plants per household. The buds and flowers from your own cannabis plants must be used strictly for private consumption only. If you are caught selling it for commercial purposes, you may be penalized with hefty fines. The laws and policies regarding the possession and distribution of cannabis vary with each Australian region. It is common practice for people to be allowed to possess 100 grams of weed at any time but they are not allowed to consume this in public places such as parks and roads.
In some areas, the carrying of 25 grams of weed expected for recreational use merits a fine of $100 which must be paid within 60 days. This fine and legitimate repercussion will only be valid until January 31st, 2020 when recreational Mary Jane use in the ACT will be viewed as lawful. While ACT has decriminalized minor pot offenses, there are still punishments for having modest quantities of pot, which will be pertinent until the law change toward the start of the new year.
