What topics does this cannabis study cover?

This study covers research on: Addiction.

Where was this research published?

Published in Drug and alcohol review on September 1, 2026.

Awareness rises, but drug decriminalisation remains widely misunderstood

High Awareness, Low Clarity: Knowledge of the Australian Capital Territory's Multi-Drug Decriminalisation Reform Among People Who Use Illicit Drugs.

Drug and alcohol review • September 1, 2026 • Related

🤖

AI Summary

The Australian Capital Territory’s 2023 reform created a legal pathway to divert people caught possessing small quantities of multiple illicit drugs to a health education session or a $100 expiation fine, rather than relying solely on criminal penalties. Among people who regularly used illicit stimulants or injected drugs, awareness of the reform rose substantially after it was introduced: from 49% to 81% among stimulant users and from 33% to 72% among people who inject drugs.

Awareness did not always mean clear understanding. Most informed participants correctly knew the reform applied to possession—not sale or supply—but some misunderstood the likely police response. Notably, some believed police would “do nothing” or that possessing drugs other than cannabis was entirely legal, confusing decriminalisation with legalisation. The findings suggest that clear, targeted public information is needed, including for cannabis users who may otherwise misunderstand what the reform does and does not permit.

💡 Key Findings

Awareness of the Australian Capital Territory’s reform increased from 49% to 81% among regular stimulant users and from 33% to 72% among people who inject drugs.

High

80%

Most participants who were aware of the reform correctly understood that it applied to possession, not sale or supply.

High

80%

Understanding remained mixed: some participants believed police would “do nothing” or that possessing drugs other than cannabis was entirely legal.

High

80%

The study concludes that people may confuse decriminalisation with legalisation, leading to inaccurate expectations about police and judicial responses.

High

80%

📄 Original Abstract

In October 2023, the Australian Capital Territory became the first Australian jurisdiction to decriminalise possession of small quantities of multiple illicit drugs by law, introducing an alternative, legislated pathway enabling police to divert individuals to a health education and information session or issue a $100 expiation fine. This study examined awareness and understanding of this reform among two populations of people who regularly use illicit drugs in Canberra. Cross-sectional samples of people who regularly use illicit stimulants (n = 200; Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System, EDRS) or inject drugs (n = 201; Illicit Drug Reporting System, IDRS) were recruited between April-June 2023 (pre-legislation) and 2024 (post-legislation). Chi-square analyses assessed differences between years. Self-reported awareness of the new legislation increased significantly between 2023 and 2024-from 49% to 81% among EDRS participants (p < 0.001) and from 33% to 72% among IDRS participants (p < 0.001). In both years, most participants aware of the legislation correctly recognised that it applied only to possession (EDRS: 94%-95%; IDRS: 78%-91%), not sale or supply. Many understood that police responses for small quantity possession offences had changed (EDRS: 76%, respectively: IDRS: 56%-66%); however, misconceptions persisted, with notable proportions believing police would 'do nothing', and/or that it was 'entirely legal' to possess drugs other than cannabis. Awareness of the Australian Capital Territory's multi-drug decriminalisation reform increased among two populations of people who regularly use illicit drugs, but understanding of the details remained mixed. Many participants appeared to confuse legalisation and decriminalisation and misperceived police and judicial responses.

Paper Type

📄 Research

Publication

Journal: Drug and alcohol review
Published: September 1, 2026
PMID: 42622363
DOI: 10.1111/dar.70222

Authors (7)

Rachel Sutherland National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Connor Graham National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Caitlin Elizabeth Hughes National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Anna Olsen ANU College of Science and Medicine, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.
Chris Gough Canberra Alliance for Harm Minimisation and Advocacy, Canberra, Australia.
+2 more authors

MeSH Keywords

Humans Illicit Drugs Cross-Sectional Studies Australian Capital Territory Female Male Adult Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Young Adult Substance-Related Disorders