NDRI's Cannabis Policy Research.pdf

- Bill Overview: The Drugs of Dependence (Personal Cannabis Use) Amendment Bill 2018 aims to legalize the cultivation of four cannabis plants for personal use in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).

- NDRI's Previous Involvement: The National Drug Research Institute (NDRI) has a history of research supporting cannabis policy reform, including advocating for civil penalties over criminal charges for minor offenses and studying legal cannabis markets in Colorado and internationally.

- Bill Analysis:
- Supply Side: The bill primarily addresses the demand side of the market but also aims to tackle the supply side through self-cultivation. However, most cannabis users do not grow their own, so allowing cannabis gifting and considering models like Cannabis Social Clubs could help address this.
- Artificial Cultivation: The exclusion of 'artificial cultivation' and its definition are problematic and need clarification.
- Public Consumption Ban: The provision to ban cannabis consumption within 20m of a child may be difficult to interpret.
- Therapeutic Use: Section 9a (1)(a) allows self-grown herbal cannabis to be supplied as a therapeutic agent.

- Education: Public and targeted education about the new law will be necessary.

- Australian Policy Experiments: Australia's federal system has allowed for natural policy experiments, with various states and territories implementing civil and cautioning schemes for cannabis while maintaining prohibition.

- Supply Models: Legalizing possession and cultivation addresses demand but not supply. To undermine the black market, the bill should consider mechanisms to meet the supply needs of most cannabis users, who will not grow their own. This could involve allowing cannabis gifting or exploring commercial and non-commercial supply models used internationally.