Australian lawmakers have unfortunately decided that federal marijuana legalization isn’t in the nation’s best interest. After voting 23 to 14 in opposition of a bill that would’ve brought recreational bud to the masses, the country will remain under the thumb of prohibition.
The Australian Capital Territory in the southwest corner of Australia, home to the capital city of Canberra, is currently the only jurisdiction where adult-use weed has been decriminalized. There are no dispensaries, but residents are permitted to grow their own plants and possess up to 50 grams of dried flower.
The bill that failed to receive approval from Australia’s Senate today after a lengthy debate was presented by the “Greens” party. If successful, it would have facilitated the establishment of a national cannabis regulation agency and permitted special cafes.
“Nevertheless, this is a historic day,” the party said in a press release Wednesday. “It’s the first time the Federal Parliament has voted on a plan to legalize cannabis across the country, and it won’t be the last.”
The Australian Greens still believe that federal legalization will inevitably come to fruition. Government data has shown that over 8.8 million adults down under have had a toke or ingested the plant’s cannabinoids.
“The Labor and Liberal parties are happy to call all of these people criminals,” the Greens said. “That’s a bloody disgrace.”
They argue that if one prefers weed brownies or gummies over liquor and cigarettes they should be free to indulge without ridicule.
8.8 million Australians have tried cannabis at some point in time but Labor and Liberals are prepared to call them all criminals.
We believe adults should have the right to choose cannabis over a beer if they want. #yeswecannabis pic.twitter.com/3RhYN45UTC
— David Shoebridge (@DavidShoebridge) November 26, 2024
Read more: Avant Brands to enter Australian cannabis sector with launch of BLK MKT
Read more: Optimi Health gets psychedelics import permit for Mind Medicine Australia shipment
Australian medical market is booming
New data and research from Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration and Penington Institute have shown that the country’s annual medical sales have quadrupled over the past two years.
Aussies spent approximately AUD$234 million on medical merchandise throughout 2022. A couple of years later they upped their reefer spending immensely, purchasing AUD$402 million worth of goods during the first half of 2024 alone.
Certain market researchers, like Grand View Research and Future Market Insights, have predicted that the nation’s industry will have vast growth in the years to come. They anticipate a compound annual growth rate of about 29 per cent between now and 2033.
Medical cannabis was legalized in Australia back in 2016. Australia’s Capital Territory decriminalized recreational pot three years later.
rowan@mugglehead.com
