The effects of partial decriminalisation on cannabis use in South Australia, 1985 to 1993

• DOI: 10.1111/j.1753-6405.1995.tb00444.x
• Publication Date: 2010-08-11T21:49:02Z
• Authors: Neil Donnelly; Wayne Hall; Paul Christie
• Keywords: Adult; Male; Marijuana Abuse; Adolescent; Australia; 027; Public Policy; 1117 Public Health and Health Services; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; normalization; Logistic Models; 0302 clinical medicine; South Australia; Prevalence; Humans; Female; Crime; 11 Medical and Health Sciences; drug problems

In 1987 the Cannabis Expiration Notice scheme decreased penalties for personal use of cannabis in South Australia. Data from four National Campaign Against Drug Abuse (NCADA) household drug-use surveys covering period 1985 to 1993 were analysed measure effect decriminalisation on use. The main outcomes used self-reported prevalence rates having ever and current weekly Logistic regression was control potentially confounding effects age sex. Other been offered willingness if it. Between adjusted rate increased Australia 26 per cent 38 cent. There also significant increases Victoria Tasmania, a lesser extent New Wales. increase not significantly greater than average (P = 0.1). Adjusted between 1988 1991 Australia, but did change through 1993. Although direction this statistically when compared rest 0.07). greatest occurred Tasmania 1993, 2 7 NCADA survey data indicate that there 1985-1993, they cannot be attributed partial decriminalisation, because similar other states.