RULES AND REGULATIONS OF AUSTRALIA AND HELPFUL INFORMATION REGARDING MARIJUANA REGULATIONS IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

Australia New Zealand

- One-third of all Australians, aged 22 or older, have - The use of in New Zealand is regulated by the tried cannabis. Misuse of Drags Act of 1975, which makes unauthorized - Australia has one of the highest rates of cannabis use possession of any amount of cannabis a crime. in the entire world, and Australia’s indigenous - NZ Police arrest more people for cannabis, per capita, population has even higher levels of use. than any other country in the world. - While recreational cannabis use is currently illegal, the - Cannabis is the fourth-most widely used recreational drug country has largely avoided a punitive drug policy in New Zealand after caffeine, alcohol, and . focusing on harm-minimization strategies. - In December of 2018, the Misuse of Drugs act was amended to permit much broader use of medicinal - But, individuals found importing or exporting large marijuana. It is now available to terminally ill patients in quantities face harsh punitive measures. the last 12 months of life. - In recent years, politicians have increasingly supported - Patients in palliative care have the right to possess and the legalization of cannabis. use cannabis. The law sets a limit of 28 grams or 100 - On February 24, 2016, Australia legalized medicinal joints. cannabis at the federal level. - This new law also facilitates the manufacturing of - Although general cannabis products on the Australian medicinal cannabis products for local and international market remain relatively limited, doctors are markets. increasingly amenable to the prescription of medicinal - Also in December 2018, the Labor government cannabis products. announced a nationwide, binding referendum on the - Some states are considering further decriminalization, for personal use, to be conducted but the federal government would still need to get on during the 2020 general election. board, thus it may be some time before Australia sees - Many other political parties in the coming elections have full legalization. expressed support for legalizing cannabis. - The Australian Government has made a commitment - For example, in March 2016, New Zealand’s Associate to work collaboratively with states and territories not Health Minister said he would greater availability if only to share knowledge and information on cannabis marijuana is shown to be effective in treating illnesses. related issues, but also to consider health and law - More information on cannabis in New Zealand can be enforcement concerns for the control of cannabis in found here. Australia. - More information on can be found here.