Changes in Australian Cannabis Laws
The cannabis regulations in Australia have seen significant adjustments in the last several years. The urge for recreational cannabis legalisation in 2020 was higher than ever. On January 31, 2020, recreational cannabis became legal. The Australian capital, Canberra, was the first to make this decision. If you’re planning a trip anywhere in the world, make sure to check for any changes in local regulations governing the purchase, possession, and growing of marijuana seeds. As of 2021, the finest online sites in for buying marijuana seeds in Australia are:
The History of Cannabis Seeds in Australia
Australia has placed restrictions on all cannabis activities including purchasing cannabis seeds since 1924. During the 1970s, legalizing marijuana to use recreationally was proposed for the first time. Despite support from the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Drugs in New South Wales in 1978, decriminalizing marijuana was opposed. The belief of the Australian Royal Commission in 1979 was this conflicted with the United Nation’s Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. Despite this, the system in Australia concerning drug offenses is not severe.
More recently, efforts were made by the Greens party for the legalization of recreational marijuana. As the minister of health, Greg Hunt was opposed to these efforts. By January of 2020, recreational cannabis became legal in Canberra. Australian residents above the age of 18 can legally take possession of a maximum of 50 grams of dry marijuana. Each person can legally grow two plants. The maximum number of plants per household is four. According to the initial proposal, six plants could be grown per person for recreational use.
The taxes accrued from marijuana sales will fund treatment programs and drug education. The most frequently used drug in Australia is cannabis. The usage rate in the country is one of the highest anywhere in the world. Despite marijuana being legal in certain territories, cannabis remains illegal on the federal level. According to new laws, marijuana usage will be reviewed in three years.
#1 Featured Seed Bank: I Love Growing Marijuana
Operated by Robert Bergman, a veteran grower with over 25 years of growing experience in the Netherlands, ILGM has been successfully stealth shipping cannabis seeds worldwide, with an impressive distribution of prolific strains, offering feminized, fast flowering, autoflowering strains, and regular strains.
Can Medical Cannabis be Used Legally in Australia?
Legislation was passed by the Australian parliament on February 24th of 2016 legalizing medical marijuana for individuals with severe or chronic health issues. Cannabis could also be grown legally for scientific purposes. Cannabis research was finally possible. Due to the agricultural requirements, humid climate and warm temperatures, Australia is ideal for growing large amounts of medical cannabis. To grow marijuana legally, extensive licensing is necessary. In 1967, the Narcotic Drug Act enabled marijuana to be grown for medicinal products.
By 2020, using, producing, distributing and manufacturing medical cannabis was legalized at the federal level with some stipulations. Only patients in possession of valid prescriptions can possess and use medical marijuana grown in the country. The marijuana must receive approval according to the Therapeutic Good Act, while remaining compliant with the laws of the territory and state. Cannabis products are tracked through a national regulator for the government to help prevent criminal activity. The changes resulted from the death of 25-year-old Daniel Haslam from bowel cancer.
Daniel advocated in New South Walkes for the legalization of medical marijuana. In 2014, he gained national exposure. Medical marijuana offered him relief from the lack of appetite and nausea resulting from chemotherapy. In February of 2015, he passed away. This was when his mother established the United in Compassion group with the intention of petitioning to make medical marijuana legal. The first Australian state legalizing medical cannabis was the Victorian government. This occurred in 2016 due to the Victorian Access to Medical Cannabis Act.
According to the act, all products had to be made in Victoria, with restricted patient groups and limited access. The restrictions regarding patient group eligibility were lifted in 2018. Despite the strict New South Wales laws for marijuana criminalization, in 2016, physicians were able to begin prescribing medical cannabis. The slowness of the process was substantially improved in 2018.
The Legislation for Cannabis Seeds Australia
Purchasing marijuana seeds for medical issues were restricted by Australian prohibitions and laws for a long period of time. No changes were made regarding smoking or cultivating marijuana until January of 2020. This was when growing cannabis for recreational use became legal. Each household can legally grow four plants, or each individual two. Distributing this marijuana remains illegal with consequences. Marijuana is still a Schedule 9 drug and illegal for any individual not within the Australian Capital Territories.
Marijuana laws have different penalties depending on the territory and state. The most relaxed state is South Australia. Marijuana decriminalization laws were passed in 1987. Purchasing marijuana seeds to grow one plant in South Australia results in a $520 to $150 fine the individual must pay within 60 days. ACT or Australian Capital Territory is fairly lenient regarding possession of cannabis. Minor offenses have been decriminalized, but penalties remained for the possession of small amounts of cannabis until January of 2020.
Offenders in the Northern Territories in the past with two plants could receive a fine of $200 with 28 days to pay. The fine was decreased to $100, and the payment period increased to 60 days due to ACT. Australians are offered an option to paying the fine by attending a program for drug assessment and treatment. Due to the variations in the law throughout all of the territories and states in Australia, the best option is to conduct research.
This will ensure the individual is aware of all potential repercussions and fines for purchasing marijuana seeds online from an Australian seed bank. The laws for gardening recreational marijuana in different parts of Australia are not the same.
The 2020 Guide for legally Purchasing Marijuana Seeds in Australia
Both individuals traveling to Australia and residents of the country need to be aware recreational cannabis is currently illegal on the federal level. Cannabis seeds can still be purchased online in Australia through reputable sources. Two of the best Australian online seed banks are:
ILGM Seed bank: ILGM offers extremely high-quality Australian cannabis seeds. The seeds offered are some of the very best available. The company passes the savings directly to its customers. ILGM offers numerous payment options including cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin, credit and debit cards, money orders, bank transfers and cash.
According to the federal government, purchasing, using or selling marijuana or marijuana seeds is still illegal for any individual who is caught. This includes all Australians not in Canberra as of January of 2020. Researching local laws to determine the possible repercussions is recommended.
The Specifics of Australian Laws Regarding Marijuana
The reason growing and possessing recreational marijuana in certain parts of Australia became legal in January of 2020 is due to the persistent efforts of numerous groups and citizens determined to change marijuana laws. The most notable is Australia’s capital, Canberra. The criminal implications for possession and sales of marijuana remain dependent on the territory and state. Residents of South Australia have the most lenient penalties anywhere in Australia. The charges for possessing a maximum of 20 grams of hash, 100 grams of dry weed, or owning smoking paraphernalia are the same.
According to ACT, the penalty for the possession of 25 grams of marijuana for recreational use was a fine of $100. Payment had to be made within a period of 60 days. As of January of 2020, ACT considers the use of recreational marijuana legal. Individuals in the Northern Territory in possession of 10 grams of hash or marijuana seeds or 60 grams of cannabis will be fined $200. This payment must be made within a period of 28 days. The penalty for possessing a maximum of 15 grams of marijuana in New South Wales is much more lenient.
The individual will receive two warnings from authorities before a criminal penalty is issued. In Queensland, the possession of 50 grams of marijuana is considered a minor offense. Participating in a drug assessment program is the penalty. Parts of the country set up a diversion program to deal with the underlying causes of issues with drugs. Offenders receive encouragement to be responsible for all issues related to drugs. The strictest penalty in the entire country is in Western Australia. The penalty is harsh for individuals caught by the police with 10 grams of cannabis.
The individual either receives a sentence of two years in jail or a $2,000 fine. If the individual is caught with less than 10 grams, drug counseling is mandatory according to the CIR or Cannabis Intervention Requirement. The penalty for being caught possessing a maximum of 50 grams of marijuana in Victoria is a warning. The warning limit is two. The penalty in Tasmania is similar, but the individual may receive three warnings within a period of 10 years.
Australian Cannabis Culture
According to the Australian Drug Foundation, approximately 39 percent of Australians above the age of 14 have admitted they have tried marijuana at least once. Roughly 18 percent of these individuals have used marijuana within the last 12 months. The most common age these individuals tried marijuana or started smoking regularly was 17. A Roy Morgan poll took place one year prior to the legalization of medical cannabis in 2015. The results showed the majority of Australians wanted medical marijuana to be legalized.
About 91 percent of Australians voted to legalize marijuana for patients with chronic illnesses including epilepsy and cancer. Growing cannabis seeds in Australia usually begins in October. The spring season then begins within a few weeks. This is when cannabis plants are placed outdoors. The harvest generally starts in March, concluding in May for areas with seasonal changes in temperature. Marijuana seeds can be grown in the milder areas of the country outdoors throughout the year. Growers can potentially provide four harvests every year.
Unfortunately, outdoor marijuana crops can be impacted by issues including the intense sun. The plants may be unable to cope with the scorching heat. If the marijuana buds are affected by mold, the harvest is ruined. The good news is the soil and climate conditions in the country offer the ideal environment for growing cannabis for experienced professionals in the field.
Purchasing Cannabis Seeds Australia
Even with the new laws taking effect in January of 2020, purchasing marijuana seeds in Australia with the intention of using or selling recreational marijuana remains illegal according to federal law. The exception is Canberra, the capital of Australia. As of January 31st of 2020, recreational marijuana is legal. Each person can legally possess a maximum of two plants and 50 grams of dry marijuana. If any individual is caught growing, distributing or possessing marijuana with the intention of reselling, it is considered illegal.
The individual will be punished by the law. The penalty for engaging in any of the above activities is dependant on the territory and state. There is a wide variation in the current laws. The status of medical cannabis in the country substantially changed in 2016. The result was a positive impact on both the patient’s quality of life and the Australian economy. To avoid the potential for criminal penalties, any individual traveling to or living in Australia should be familiar with the current laws. The laws encompass purchasing or using cannabis seeds in any way.