Australia’s Greens Party Proposes Full Recreational Cannabis Legalization – News

“Governments around the world are realizing that prohibition of cannabis causes more harm than it prevents,” Greens party leader Richard di Natale said in a speech Monday,

The party’s proposal bears more similarities to Uruguay’s government-controlled cannabis program than the recreational marijuana markets launched in some U.S. states. The plan would establish an Australian Cannabis Agency, which would have a complete monopoly on the production, supply, and sale of cannabis.

Former Australian Federal Police commissioner Mick Palmer has come out in support of the Greens’ cannabis initiative. “

The Australian Medical Association quickly announced their “significant reservations” over the Greens’ proposal arguing that cannabis poses potential health risks for those aged under 21. “

But despite these concerns, the AMA is still convinced that cannabis prohibition has been a failure. “We see recreational use of cannabis as a health issue not a criminal issue. Wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis in Australia” target=” blank”> criminalized recreational cannabis use between the 1920s and 1950s, but many of these territories decriminalized minor cannabis offenses in the early 2000s.

“Banning cannabis hasn’t reduced its use or availability yet it has distracted police from following up more serious crimes, harmed a lot of young people and helped make some criminals rich,” Alex Wodak, president of the Australian Drug Law Reform Foundation, their advocacy for issues including gender equality, gay marriage, ecological sustainability, and now cannabis reform, have drawn increasing support among young Australians.