Perth, Australia: Legal reforms downgrading penalties on the possession and cultivation of marijuana for personal use to a non-criminal, fine-only offense took effect this week.
Under the new statewide law, those who possess up to 30 grams of pot (approximately one ounce) and/or cultivate up to two marijuana plants will no longer face criminal charges.
The law expressly forbids cultivating marijuana hydroponically.
Since 1998, law enforcement officials in Western Australia have been “cautioning” minor marijuana offenders. The new law ratifies that long-standing policy.
In recent years, a number of Australian states have adopted versions of marijuana decriminalization, including the Australian Capitol Territory, the Northern Territory, South Australia and Victoria.
For more information, please contact Allen St. Pierre, Executive Director of the NORML Foundation, at (202) 483-5500.