TheRabbit

well ive been looking for these for a loooong time for myself, but i figure everyone else growing in australia might want to see them as well. this may be informative enough to be sticky as well (hint hint ).

the full report can be found at:
http://www.wa.gov.au/drugwestaus/htm...rm/cin-pt3.pdf
however, ive taken most of the crap out of it and boiled it down to the following basic info.

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Western Australia
In Western Australia the possession of up to 100 grams of cannabis plant materials, 20 grams of resin and the cultivation of up to 25 plants are simple offences. The maximum penalty is two years imprisonment, a $2,000 fine or both. The possession of implements for use of cannabis is also a simple offence, with a maximum penalty of $3,000, three years imprisonment or both.
WA cannabis cautioning scheme
In March 2000 the cannabis cautioning mandatory education system (CCMES), was introduced as a statewide scheme in Western Australia. The formal cautioning scheme was preceded by a 12 month pilot in the Mirrabooka Police District and the Bunbury Sub District from October 1998 until September 1999. The purpose of the pilot was to trial a more effective way of dealing with people caught in the criminal justice system for first time cannabis offences. The objectives of the pilot were:
• to improve knowledge and attitudes regarding marijuana use by offenders; and
• to achieve viable police procedures including a streamlined process and effective interaction with offenders.
The CCMES enables police to issue a formal caution for first time adult offenders in possession or use of up to 25 grams of cannabis. The caution mandates attendance at an educational intervention in lieu of prosecution. There is not a legislative basis for this scheme, rather it is based on police discretion. Where a caution is issued the individual is required to attend a mandatory education session within two weeks of receiving the caution. Failure to attend a session results in a summons being issued for the offence with the matter being dealt with by a court of petty sessions.
There is a separate scheme, which is part of the national approach to diversion of drug offenders, which is targeted at repeat cannabis offenders. In this case the courts are able to refer a repeat offenderto a multi session education and treatment program consisting of three sessions in a group format.
The program addresses key issues such as motivation, relapse and goal setting. After the offender’s participation in the program the courts will consider a sentence in the light of the person’s
participation.
There have been a total of 1,678 cautions to both the pilot and the fully established CCMES up to 5 February 2002. Overall a total of 208 (12.5%) individuals have failed to attend the mandated education session.
A breakdown of the weight of cannabis seized indicates that the majority of cautions have involved people with relatively small quantities of cannabis, as follows:
• 1,225 (73%) cautions involved weights of less than 5 grams;
• 134 (8%) cautions involved weights of between 5 and 10 grams; and
• 157 (9%) cautions involved weights over 10 grams.




South Australia
Cannabis expiation notice scheme
The cannabis expiation notice (CEN) scheme came into effect in South Australia on 30 April 1987, following amendment to the South Australian Controlled Substances Act 1984.
The legislation did not initially specify the actual number of plants that were deemed to be cultivated for personal use and thus an expiable offence, the number of plants being a “small number for non commercial purposes”. The legislation was changed in 1990 to define an expiable offence as being cultivation of up to 10 plants.
In 1999 the limit of plants was reduced by regulation to three in response to concerns that the shift to hydroponic cultivation had increased plant yields and that commercial syndication had become involved. However, on 12 July 2000 by resolution of the Legislative Council, this regulation was disallowed and the limit returned to the former limit of 10 plants.
Subsequently in August 2000 the limit was again reduced by regulation to a maximum of three plants for the expiable offence of cultivation of cannabis.
In November 2001 an amendment to the regulations decreased the limit to one plant.
It is to be noted that a Bill to amend the Controlled Substances Act 1984 was introduced in the South Australian Parliament on 30 October 2001.
If this had been passed it would have had the effect of treating the cultivation of cannabis plants as an expiable offence, depending on the number of plants prescribed by the regulations, so long as these plants were not hydroponically grown. The Bill proposed an amendment to Section 45A of the Act, by defining a ‘simple cannabis offence’ as not being ‘artificially enhanced cultivation’, by inserting the following definition.
Artificially enhanced cultivation means –
cultivation in a solution comprised wholly or principally of water enriched with nutrients; or cultivation involving the application of an artificial source of light or heat.
The CEN provides that where adults come to the attention of the police for a “simple cannabis offence”, they have the option of issuing the offender with an expiation notice. It should be noted that the use of cannabis is still illegal.
Fees for the expiation of simple cannabis offences vary according to the seriousness of the offence as follows.
Possession of cannabis
where the amount is less than 25 grams ($50 penalty)
where the amount is 25 grams or more but less than 100 grams ($150 penalty)
Possession of cannabis resin
where the amount is less than 5 grams ($50 penalty)
where the amount is 5 grams or more but less than 20 grams ($150)
Smoking cannabis
Smoking or consumption of cannabis or cannabis resin ($50 penalty)
Possession of smoking paraphernalia ($50 penalty)
Cultivation
Cultivation of 1 cannabis plant ($150 penalty).
Trends
Recent studies of the expiation scheme have noted that there was a marked increase in the number of CENs issued from the inception of the scheme in 1987, with just over 18,000 CENs issued in the 1996/1997 year. The expiation rate stabilised at around 45% until 1997 after which there have been smaller increases in the expiation rate believed to be due to the introduction of alternative payment options in 1996 for expiable offences (eg instalment payments and community service).
Drug offences in South Australia increased from 1988 (2,619 offences) to 4,708 offences in 1994, then has remained relatively static up to the end of 2000, with about 4,500 drug offences per year. From 1988 to 1992 cannabis offences made up about 80% of all drug offences in South Australia. Since 1992 there has been a steady decline in the proportion of offences involving cannabis compared to other types of illicit drugs and by the year 2000 made up 62.6% of all offences.
Over the period from 1991/1992 to 1995/1996 almost all CENs involved single offences. By the mid 1990s more than 17,000 CENs were being issued in South Australia. Since a peak of 17,170 in 1994/1995 there has been a gradual decrease in the number of notices issued each year dropping to 8,651 in 1999/2000.
Cautioning and diversion
Juveniles cannot be dealt with under the CEN but are subject to formal and informal cautioning.




Australian Capital Territory
Cannabis expiation notice scheme
The simple cannabis offence notice (SCON) scheme has operated in the Australian Capital Territory since 1993.
SCONs are issued to adults or juveniles and have the option of paying the fine within a prescribed time or later appearing in court, with the possibility of a conviction (though a conviction is not inevitable). Fees for the expiation of simple cannabis offences vary according to the seriousness of the offence as follows.
Possession of cannabis
Where the amount is not more than 25 grams ($100 penalty)
Cultivation
Cultivation of up to five plants ($100 penalty)
Use
It is an expiable offence to use (ie self administer) cannabis ($100 penalty)
Trends
Data from 1994 (the first full year of operation of the ACT scheme) to 2001 shows that a total of 1,795 SCONs were issued over this eight year period, with an overall mean expiation rate of 51.6%. The data indicates the highest expiation rate occurred between 1994 and 1996 (reaching a rate of just over two thirds of all SCONs being expiated in 1995).
The expiation rate dropped in 1998 and 1999, with just over four out of 10 SCONs being expiated.
There has been a trend of an upward trend in the annual, with just under half of SCONs being expiated in 2001.
Cautioning and diversion
The ACT has developed an early intervention and diversion program based on police discretion.
Participants in this program must have committed an offence under the Drugs of Dependence Act 1989 (ie possession of an illicit drug or illicit possession of pharmaceutical drug). Diversion will not be available where a violent crime has been committed.
The program retains the use of SCONs. From December 2001 police will have the option of issuing a SCON, which involves payment of a fine or diversion of the offender to an education program. The option to divert to education, in preference to payment of a fine will be undertaken in the same manner in which police divert other offenders in possession of small quantities of drugs.
Expiation of the drug diversion caution notice will occur after attendance at one assessment intervention and one education or treatment intervention.




Northern Territory
Offences
An infringement notice scheme has operated in the Northern Territory since 1 July 1996.
The scheme provides that adults in possession of up to 50 grams of cannabis plant material or up to 10 grams of cannabis resin, or cultivating up to two plants are issued with an on the spot fine of $200, known as a drug infringement notice (DIN).
If the fine is not paid within a specified time, after a reminder, the offender is taken into custody or the amount can be recovered by a warrant of distress. Offenders have the option of contesting their infringement in court, with the consequent possibility of a criminal conviction.
The Misuse of Drugs Act permits a $200 infringement to be issued where a person (an adult) is apprehended not more than 2 cannabis plants or is in possession with a specified amount.
Trends
Due to unavailability of additional information it is not possible to discuss trends in the Northern
Territory scheme.




Victoria
Offences
Under Victorian legislation the use of cannabis is a summary offence with a maximum penalty of $500. Possession and cultivation are indictable offences. Possession of less than 50 grams (any part of the plant) for personal use attracts a maximum penalty of $500, and possession of 50 grams or more for personal use a maximum penalty of $3,000 and/or one year imprisonment.
Cultivation of less than 250 grams of cannabis (if not for trafficking) carries a maximum penalty of $2,000 and/or one year imprisonment. 250 grams or more, or 10 plants, is counted as a traffickable quantity, and possession of those amounts is taken as evidence of trafficking.
Cautioning and diversion
Victoria has statutory procedures for dealing with first and second time possession/use cannabis offenders.
A system of adjourned bonds has applied for some time in Victoria for minor first time (possession and use) drug offences. First offenders are given a bond, and no conviction is recorded if the bond conditions are complied with. In 1993, adjourned bonds were applied to 40 per cent of all minor cannabis charges in Victorian magistrate’s courts.
Victoria also has a police diversion scheme, the cannabis cautioning program (CCP), which has operated since 1998 (although it is not legislatively based). First or second time offenders (over 17 years of age) who have had little or no previous contact with the criminal justice system can be issued a caution notice instead of having the offence proceeded with through the courts (for possession/use of up to 50 grams).
The caution notice includes information about the harms of cannabis use. Whether an offender is offered a caution is at the discretion of the police officer concerned.




New South Wales
Offences
In New South Wales possession or use of up to 200 grams of cannabis leaf is a criminal offence, with a maximum penalty of $2,000 fine and/or two years imprisonment. In 1993, 78 per cent of these cannabis offences were dealt with through a fine (often a small one of $200), and 90 per cent of those found guilty had a conviction recorded against them.
Cautioning and diversion
Following a recommendation of the Drug Summit which was held in May 1999 the cannabis cautioning scheme (CCS) began statewide in April 2000 for a trial period of 12 months. The CCS
covered offences of use and possession of dried cannabis leaf stalks, seeds, heads, and equipment for administration. It does not include living plants or derived products such as hash and hash oil.
Police guidelines apply to cautioning adults detected using or in possession of not more than 15 grams of dried cannabis and/or in possession of equipment for administration. When detected, police are encouraged to exercise their discretion to issue the person with a caution, providing the cautioning criteria are met. Offenders are issued with a caution notice along with legal and health information and a number to call for confidential treatment and referral.
Police still retain their discretion to charge an offender or issue a caution. A caution cannot be issued if there are prior convictions under the Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985 or a violent or sexual assault offence. No person can be issued with more than two cautions. The offender must admit to the offence and must only possess the cannabis for personal use (15 grams or less).
This scheme does not have any legislative basis, but is dealt with by the New South Wales Police Service policy and procedures on the ‘Cannabis Cautioning Scheme’.




Queensland
Offences
It is an offence in Queensland to possess up to 500 grams of cannabis, or where plants are concerned, up to 100 plants (or up to 500 grams equivalent in weight).
If the offence is dealt with as an indictment, the maximum penalty is 15 years imprisonment and/or $300,000 fine. If dealt with summarily, the maximum penalty is two years imprisonment and/or $6,000 fine. There is no distinction under Queensland law between small amounts (for personal use) and larger quantities up to 500 grams (which most other jurisdictions would regard as a traffickable quantity).
Possession of drug paraphernalia is also an offence.
Currently, under the Juvenile Justice Act, those under 17 years of age can receive a caution for possession of small amounts of illicit drugs including cannabis.
Cautioning and diversion
The drug diversion assessment program (DDAP) commenced in June 2001. The Police Powers and Responsibility Act 2000 requires officers to offer a drug assessment program as an alternative to prosecution for persons found in possession of not more than 50 grams of cannabis sativa or a thing for use, or that the person has used, for smoking cannabis sativa, unless such possession involves the supply of or trafficking in cannabis sativa.
The aim of a drug diversion assessment program is to reduce the number of offenders appearing before courts for minor drug offences, provide incentives for these offenders to curb drug use and increase the number of offenders accessing drug education and treatment programs.




Tasmania
Offences
It is an offence in Tasmania to use or possess cannabis, to cultivate cannabis or possess smoking devices.
The maximum penalty is 50 penalty units or two years imprisonment or both.
Cautioning and diversion
Tasmania has a three staged drug diversion scheme:
• first time adult offenders for possession or use of any drug including cannabis (up to 50 grams) are issued a cautionary notice by police as well as a pamphlet containing educational material;
• second time adult offenders are referred to a one hour counselling/treatment intervention; and
• third time offenders are diverted to a more comprehensive assessment, with referral to counselling, detoxification, or rehabilitation.
The drug diversion program is based on police decision and not legislation. It applies to most types of drugs including cannabis, but certain requirements must be met before a diversionary procedure can be followed, ie minimal quantities.



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hope it helps guys.

AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE!!!

__________________
"those who restrain desire do so because theirs is weak enough to restrain" - william blake


... in other news, my friend was both shocked and embarrassed when the arresting officers informed him that cockfighting involved chickens...

Knore

Very Very Very good post Rabbit -

I too have been looking for Australian Laws for along time - But never seem to find what im looking for

We need to find something more 'Growing' related ?

Think you can use the same intuition that found this info to find Growing Laws specifically ?

Im sure it would be greatly appreiceated by hc.com members and also be completely in topic with this sites purpose

Knore

I just found this site while looking around the root directories of that first post here -

http://www.wa.gov.au/drugwestaus/htm...abis-recs.html

Its the proposed law changes - If it goes through - It states you can grow 2 plants per household regardless of howmany adults live there

sehnse

What are the laws in Australia regarding receiving MJ seeds in the mail?

I just ordered some online and i'm worried the envelope will arrive with the cops.

tokey mcbonghit

i've been wondering alot odering into aus aswell. Just say, the seeds were intercepted by the police, but the police didn't confinscate them, they just recorded the address sent to, date etc.. and then let the seeds continue their course to the address on the envelope.
Would this be sufficent evidence to gain a search warrant (of the home address on the envelope) ?

dammit i've rewritten that 3 times and it still doesn't make much sense to me..probs coz im maggit hehe ohwell i hope u all get what i mean

__________________
"We grow copious amounts of ganja here, and you're carrying a wasted girl and a bag of fertilizer. You don't look like your average horti-***-culturalist, do you, Willy?"

Knore

Well ozgrowa recommends SeedsDirect for us Aussies

So obviously if he uses it then it must be fairly safe,

I wouldnt order directly to your growsite - Instead get a friend or Rent out a P.O box from the post office and get it sent there

then your 100% safe

tokey mcbonghit

yeh i've thought alot bout both those options..
problem with delivering to a friends address, is that practically all of them have weed lying around their places, so if they got searched, it would be just as much trouble for them..

with renting out a P.O. box, dont they require your drivers liscence....some sort of photographic evidence? I think i heard this somewhere ..mite check out australiapost.com.au

__________________
"We grow copious amounts of ganja here, and you're carrying a wasted girl and a bag of fertilizer. You don't look like your average horti-***-culturalist, do you, Willy?"

sehnse

I just ordered them to my office..

I found a pretty good deal on maryjanesgarden.com, 10 white widow seeds for $95AUD, and she says the letter style is corporate.. so works for me.

Plus, just get the letter sent with a fake 'to' name. If the letter looks like its been tampered with, take it back to the post office and say 'there is no "fake name" at this residence i'm afraid"

sehnse

Does anybody know how much trouble you would be in, for growing 5 plants or less, in Queensland?

Would I go to jail?

Knore

No you most definately would NOT goto jail .. I know of people who have been busted with 9 Plants in a significantly commercialised setup and only lost the equipment and had to goto drug diversion programs for 6 months..

Im fairly sure - Under new laws - That 10 or more plants can be tried for intent to sell .. which you dont want

so stay on 9 or less and you should be fine

*NOTE: IVE MADE A THREAD IN THE MARIJUANA GENETICS: SEED BANKS FORUM - FOR AUSTRALIAN ONLINE SEED ORDERING...... CHECK IT OUT !!