South Australian Police At It Again – Last week it was an arrest of someone with 3 plants, this week a 64 year old woman with 4 plants

All the more ridiculous because once upon a time SA was quite forward thinking on cannabis

Here’s the highlights

• 1934: Initial Prohibition
  Cannabis was first prohibited in the state under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1934 (SA).
• 1984: Controlled Substances Act
  The Controlled Substances Act 1984 was enacted to regulate the manufacture, sale, possession, and use of various drugs, including cannabis.
• 1987: Introduction of Decriminalization
  In April 1987, SA introduced the Cannabis Expiation Notice (CEN) scheme. This moved minor offenses—such as possessing small amounts (under 100g) or growing up to two plants—from criminal prosecution to a civil “on-the-spot” fine.
• 2016: Medicinal Cannabis Reform
  Following federal changes to the Narcotic Drugs Act 1967, SA aligned with national standards to allow the prescription and use of medicinal cannabis under strict Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) guidelines.
• 2018: Failed “Crackdown” Attempt
  The state government proposed legislation to quadruple fines and introduce prison sentences for simple possession. However, after public and expert pushback, the government backed down on the jail terms but did significantly increase expiation fees (e.g., from $125 to $500 for certain amounts).
• 2021–2022: Legalization Bills
  The Cannabis Legalisation Bill 2022, introduced by Hon. Tammy Franks (Greens), sought to fully legalise recreational use for adults. Similar versions were introduced in 2021. These bills have generally stalled or been voted down in Parliament.
• 2023–2024: Current Debates
  Recent legislative focus has shifted toward drug-driving reforms, with bills such as the Statutes Amendment (Medicinal Cannabis Defence) Bill 2023 aiming to protect legal medicinal users from being prosecuted for having trace THC in their system while driving. 
  

• Decriminalized: Possession of under 100g of cannabis or 20g of resin for personal use results in a fine rather than a criminal record.
• Illegal: Large-scale cultivation, trafficking, and sale remain major criminal offenses with penalties up to life imprisonment.
• Paraphernalia: Possessing items like “bongs” is still a criminal offense in SA, unlike in Victoria or the ACT. 
  

Here’s the police report on their second huge bust in as many weeks