Huge step in a rather progressive area in Australia (they had decriminalized marijuana in the early 1990’s) was taken when the ACT, the Australian Capital Territory, just passed legislation that would make small possessions of illicit drugs only punishable by a small fine.
The Legislative Assembly passed the legislation in a 13-6 vote, and it goes into effect next year so that law enforcement will have time to change their protocol.
“We know that treating drug use as a health issue rather than a criminal one is not only reducing harm for those individuals who use drugs, but also ultimately ends up building a safer community,” says ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith. “This is responsible, progressive change absolutely in line with the national drug strategy commitment to harm minimization.”
Here are the possession limits set for each drug:
- Cocaine: 1.5 grams
- Heroin: 2 grams
- MDMA: 3 grams
- Methamphetamine: 1.5 grams
- Amphetamine: 2 grams
- Psilocybin: 2 grams
- Lysergic acid: 2 milligrams
- LSD: 2 milligrams
The Premier of the larger New South Wales has said this will not be adopted into their policy, but the Australian Green Party has released plans for marijuana legalization if elected into power next month.
Read the original story at Marijuana Moment.
