Victoria’s Chief of Police announced that first time marijuana users will no longer face criminal charges for possessing less than 50 grams of the drug. Victoria is the fourth Australian state to enact marijuana decriminalization in recent years.
Police Commissioner Neil Comrie said the new policy will take effect on September 1, 1998. A six month trial of the liberal policy in the Broadmeadows district of Victoria had been successful, Comrie said.
“Victoria’s new marijuana policy is similar to the laws of ten U.S. states where marijuana users face a civil ‘violation’ rather than criminal penalties for possessing small amounts of the drug,” NORML Executive Director R. Keith Stroup said. “It is encouraging to see other regions around the globe adopt these reforms.”
Under the new system, individuals will receive a warning for possessing marijuana. Individuals may receive no more than two cautions, must have no prior criminal convictions for drug offenses, and agree to being cautioned.
Other Australian states that rely on the caution system are South Australia, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), and the Northern Territory. This May, the Drug and Alcohol Council of South Australia concluded a two year national study finding that the decriminalization of marijuana does not lead to increased use.
Comrie said that Victoria will also begin a pilot program for warning users of other illicit drugs, including heroin. The trial program for hard drug offenders will have stricter conditions, he added.
For more information, please contact either Allen St. Pierre or Paul Armentano of The NORML Foundation @ (202) 483-8751.
