Is Australia Moving Toward Marijuana Legalization?

The iconic marijuana leaf.

It seemed Australia was poised to follow the increasing number of countries which have legalised marijuana, when medicinal marijuana became legal in Australia in 2016. This was a promising sign for Australians, known for being the largest consumers of Marijuana on the planet, that soon they too may be able to witness the end of the ‘War on Drugs.’

Since then, however, little progress has been made by way of legalisation.

This is despite Canada’s recent legalisation of marijuana, along with Uruguay and now, over half the states in the US.

A pro-cannabis Canadian reveling in the newfound legalisation.

Marijuana has been illegal in Australia since 1928 and today remains largely the same, with the exception of decriminalisation in the ACT, SA and NT, whereby offenders will likely face a fine or penalty upon possession. However in Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania, Queensland, and Western Australia, use and supply of cannabis is criminally prohibited.

In response to attempts to legalise cannabis in May 2018, Australia’s Minister of Health, Greg Hunt maintained that marijuana legalisation is “dangerous and medically irresponsible.”