ACT government agrees to decriminalise small amounts of illicit drugs, such as ice, heroin and cocaine

Users of small amounts of illegal drugs would be fined rather than charged under the proposed law
ABC News (Australia)
Thursday, June 9, 2022

australia decrimThe ACT is set to become the first Australian jurisdiction to decriminalise small amounts of commonly used illicit drugs, such as ice, heroin, cocaine and speed. Under a proposed law that the government has now endorsed, police would continue to target dealers and try to disrupt Canberra's drug trade. However, people found with amounts considered to be "personal possession" — smaller than trafficable quantities — would be subject to fines rather than criminal charges. The decision follows the recommendations of a Legislative Assembly inquiry into the proposal, which was tabled by Labor backbencher Michael Pettersson last year.