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Cannabis, the Law and Social Impacts in Australia

NCJ Number
159047
Author(s)
L Atkinson; D McDonald
Date Published
1995
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Cannabis law enforcement costs the Australian community more than $300 million per year, about 75 percent of the total cost of illegal drug enforcement.
Abstract
The enforcement of cannabis laws can have an impact on future employment, education, and travel prospects of many young Australians. The social impact of cannabis is particularly significant with respect to cannabis use and legislative change, health and psychological functioning, driving, employment, education, travel, and self-esteem. Criminal justice system impacts are also substantial. Actual and potential law enforcement and criminal justice system responses to minor cannabis offenses, are discussed, based on a study commissioned by the National Drug Strategy Committee at the request of Australia's Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy. This study indicates that most cannabis-related arrests involve minor offenses, such as personal possession and cultivation of cannabis and the possession of drug paraphernalia. Further, the study shows that policy positions on the legislative status of cannabis are related to some extent to public attitudes. Data on penalties for minor cannabis offenses are provided, and the need for more information about the impact of minor cannabis convictions on young people's lives is noted. 2 tables