Do Australians in different jurisdictions think that the possession of small amounts of cannabis for personal use should be a criminal offence?

The majority of people in all states/territories believe that the possession of small amounts of cannabis for personal use should not be a criminal offence. The jurisdictions with the highest proportion of people who believe it should be a criminal offence are New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia (19% each). The jurisdiction with the highest proportion who believe it should not be a criminal offence is the ACT (72%).

19% of Australians in NSW believe the possession of small amounts of cannabis for personal use should be a criminal offence, 17% are unsure, and 63% believe it should not be a criminal offence.

19% of Australians in VIC believe the possession of small amounts of cannabis for personal use should be a criminal offence, 16% are unsure, and 65% believe it should not be a criminal offence.

18% of Australians in QLD believe the possession of small amounts of cannabis for personal use should be a criminal offence, 14% are unsure, and 68% believe it should not be a criminal offence.

18% of Australians in SA believe the possession of small amounts of cannabis for personal use should be a criminal offence, 15% are unsure, and 66% believe it should not be a criminal offence.

19% of Australians in WA believe the possession of small amounts of cannabis for personal use should be a criminal offence, 14% are unsure, and 67% believe it should not be a criminal offence.

14% of Australians in TAS believe the possession of small amounts of cannabis for personal use should be a criminal offence, 17% are unsure, and 69% believe it should not be a criminal offence.
15% of Australians in the ACT believe the possession of small amounts of cannabis for personal use should be a criminal offence, 13% are unsure, and 72% believe it should not be a criminal offence.
16% of Australians in the NT believe the possession of small amounts of cannabis for personal use should be a criminal offence, 15% are unsure, and 70% believe it should not be a criminal offence.

Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2016 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2019).

Please note: Percentages may not tally to 100% due to rounding. Criminal offences vary between each state and territory.