The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has become the first jurisdiction in Australia to legalize the recreational use of cannabis.
Lawmakers in the ACT has passed a landmark bill that allows adults to possess up to 50 grams of cannabis and to grow up to four plants in their homes. While medicinal use of cannabis was legalized in Australia in 2016, the country still prohibits recreational use anywhere else but the ACT.
Although the bills has been passed in the territory, it could still be challenged at the federal level. The law will come into effect on January 31, 2020
The ACT has a population of 400,000 and covers the city of Canberra and surrounding areas. Other places in the world that has legalized recreational cannabis use include Canada, Spain, Uruguay, and several US states such as California.
According to health authorities, approximately 35% of Australians aged 14 years and above have used cannabis for recreation at least once in their lifetime.
While recreational use is permitted, selling and consuming cannabis in public or around children is still outlawed. Supporters of the law argued that it would reduce the risk and stigma for cannabis users while opponents claim that legalization could introduce more people to harmful drug-taking.
Since the ACT is not a state in Australia, its laws are more vulnerable to be overturned by the federal government. In 2013, the federal government reversed its decision to legalize same sex marriage.
Australia's High Court in Canberra made a unanimous ruling against the ACT legislation arguing that same a sex marriage law should only be decided by the federal parliament. Marriages held since the law came into effect were declared invalid.
Speaking at the ACT Legislative Assembly, Attorney-General Gordon Ramsay said "This does not entirely remove the risk of people being arrested under [federal] law, and we are being up front with the community about that."
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