The Australian Capital Territory became the first Australian jurisdiction to decriminalize small quantities of illicit drugs, including hard drugs, SBS News reports.
“Today’s bill is not a radical revolution; it is a gradual evolution of our existing laws,” said the author of the bill, Pettersson.
The legislation will come into force gradually over 12 months. The Australian capital already opened the country's first inpatient drug testing clinic in Canberra earlier this year.
In 2019, the Australian Capital Territory passed legislation allowing the possession and cultivation of small amounts of plant-based light drugs for personal use.
“Today, we have expanded that scope… many of the benefits of this scheme over the years will now be applied to a wider range of substances that will capture more Canberrans – with the ultimate goal of making it easier for them to access the care they need,” Pettersson announced.
During the review of the bill in 2021, it was recommended that it be passed with amendments to ensure it is in line with the government's harm reduction policy.
Under the bill, people who have been found to have low levels of illicit substances, such as heroin, cocaine and speed can now have fines and criminal charges commuted to a drug treatment program. The law does not change the punishment for the sale of narcotic substances.
Comments 0