Crime
This section provides information about cannabis-related crime (including arrests and trafficking), as well as Australian legislation regarding cannabis use.
The data source utilised in this section is the Australian Crime Commission's Illicit Drug Data Report 2018-19. This report contains illicit drug data collected annually by the Australian Crime Commission from state and territory police services, the Australian Federal Police, the Australian Customs and Border Protection Services, and forensic laboratories.
How many cannabis arrests are there each year in Australia?
In 2019-20, there were 76,669 cannabis arrests in Australia (an increase of 8% since the last reporting period). Of these, 91% were consumer arrests and 9% were provider arrests.
Source: Australian Crime Commission (2021). Illicit Drug Data Report 2019-20.
Consumer Arrests: The Australian Crime Commission differentiates between people who have been apprehended for trading in, as opposed to using, illicit drugs. Those charged with user-type offences (possessing or administering drugs for their own use) are classified as consumers.
Provider Arrests: The Australian Crime Commission differentiates between people who have been apprehended for trading in, as opposed to using, illicit drugs. Those charged with supply-type offences (importation, trafficking, selling, cultivation and manufacture) are classified as providers.
How much cannabis is seized by police each year in Australia?
In 2019-20, there were 62,454 cannabis seizures in Australia, amounting to a record total weight of 10,662 kilograms.
Source: Australian Crime Commission (2021). Illicit Drug Data Report 2019-20.
How much cannabis is trafficked each year in Australia?
In 2019-20, there were 12,846 cannabis border detections in Australia which amounted to a total weight of 648 kilograms.
There were 46 cannabis detections weighing one kilogram or more in 2019-20. Combined, these 46 detections weighed 185 kilograms and accounted for 28% of the total weight of cannabis detected in 2019-20.
Source: Australian Crime Commission (2021). Illicit Drug Data Report 2019-20.
How does cannabis use affect a person’s driving ability?
Cannabis use can impair:
- reaction time
- decision-making
- time and distance perception
- short-term memory
- hand-eye coordination
- concentration.
As a result, driving under the influence of cannabis can increase the risk of a crash by up to 300%. Furthermore, driving skills can be negatively affected for up to five or more hours after using cannabis. Using cannabis and alcohol together, even at low doses, also has a larger negative effect on driving than either cannabis or alcohol use alone.
Source: Adapted from the Drug Aware website.
What is the legislation in regard to cannabis use and drug driving?
It is illegal to drive under the influence of illicit drugs (including cannabis) in Australia. Driving under the influence of cannabis carries penalties including disqualification from driving, demerit points, heavy fines, and/or imprisonment. The penalties imposed vary from state to state, and whether the offender is committing their first or subsequent drug driving offence.
In all Australian jurisdictions, legislation has been passed that allows for roadside saliva testing for drug driving, including tests for cannabis.
Source: Adapted from the Government of South Australia: Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure website (2018).
What are the legal penalties for using cannabis?
Federal and state laws provide penalties for possessing, using, making or selling cannabis, or driving under the influence of cannabis. There are also laws that prevent the sale and possession of bongs and other smoking equipment in some states and territories. Penalties can include fines, imprisonment, rehabilitation orders and disqualification from driving. Some states and territories have programs that refer people with a drug problem to treatment and/or education programs where they can receive help rather than going through the criminal justice system. Certain states in Australia have passed laws to allow access to medicinal cannabis for very specific conditions.
Source: Adapted from Alcohol and Drug Foundation