Drugs in Canada,
USA, South
America, Australia and New Zealand
Why are we here today?
• To discuss about drugs and the laws
in Canada, USA, South America,
Australia and New Zealand
• To better understand the effects and
risks around cannabis use
• Explore some resistance strategies
Hong Kong Laws
around Drug Use
What is the maximum penalty in Hong
Kong for possession and/or
consumption of illegal drugs?
a) A HK$5 million fine and life imprisonment
b) A HK$1 million fine and 7 years
imprisonment
c) A HK$100,000 fine and 3 years
imprisonment
d) A HK$500,000 fine and 5 years
imprisonment
What is the maximum penalty in Hong
Kong for giving and/or selling illegal
drugs?
a) A HK$5 million fine and life imprisonment
b) A HK$3 million fine and 5 years
imprisonment
c) A HK$1 million fine and 7 years
imprisonment
d) A HK$2 million fine and 10 years
imprisonment
USA, Canada and
South America
Laws around Drug
Use
Country Penalties
USA Trafficking: Differs based on the number and severity of
offences, but the maximum penalty is life imprisonment
Canada Trafficking: Maximum sentence is life imprisonment for
trafficking of schedule I and II drugs e.g. opium, morphine,
cocaine, ketamine
Argentina,
Brazil &
Mexico
Possession: Decriminalised
Consumption and trafficking: Prison sentences range
between 2 months and 5 years
Australia and New
Zealand’s Laws
around Drug Use
Country Penalties
Australia The level of penalty associated with serious drug offences
generally depends on the quantity of the illicit substance
involved.
The penalties range from 2 years imprisonment for basic
possession offences through to life imprisonment for
trafficking, importing/exporting commercial quantities of a
border controlled drug.
New
Zealand Penalties for supplying or manufacturing illegal drugs
Class A Life imprisonment
Class B 14 years imprisonment
Class C Indictment – 8 years imprisonment;
Summarily – 1 year jail and/or $1,000 fine*
What about
Cannabis?
Country Cannabis
Canada Legalised in October 2018 for recreational and medicinal
use
Aim is to prevent youth from accessing cannabis and displace
the illegal cannabis market
South
America Recreational Cannabis: Decriminalised
Medicinal Cannabis: Legal with prescription
Country Cannabis
Australia Recreational Cannabis: Each state and territory enacts its
own legislation:
Australian Capital Territory (Canberra and other small towns):
Fine for possession
South Australia: Possession of small quantities is
decriminalised (maximum small fines)
Western Australia: Possession charges range from mandatory
cannabis intervention programme and counselling to $24000
AUD and 2 years imprisonment
All other regions of Australia are similar
Medicinal Cannabis: Currently illegal, however research for
medicinal use has begun
Country Cannabis New
Zealand Illegal for medicinal and recreational use
Cannabis is a class C drug, of which the penalty for dealing
can result in a maximum prison sentence of eight years.
The maximum penalty for possession of cannabis is
imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or a
$500 fine
Cultivation of cannabis carries a maximum penalty of seven
years' imprisonment.
Selling cannabis, offering to sell or supplying cannabis to a
person under the age of 18 years carries a maximum penalty
of eight years' imprisonment
What’s the difference?
Based on 38,681 samples from United States
(ElSohly et al, 2016)
0
0.05
0.1
0.15
0.2
0.25
0.3
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015
Year
Changes in Cannabis Potency
THC (%)
CBD (%)
N
I
C
E
“NO”
“I” Statements
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