Cannabis campaigners Alec Zammitt and Will Stolk took to the streets of Canberra to speak with residents about drug reform policies in the Australian Capital Territory.
Setting aside their usual high-profile stunts — which have included projecting pro-cannabis messages onto the Sydney Opera House, presenting a cannabis plant to Legalise Cannabis MP Jeremy Buckingham, and driving a tank across the harbour bridge — the pair canvassed locals on the decriminalisation of personal possession of small quantities of illicit substances.
The ACT decriminalised possession of up to 50g of dried cannabis in 2020, and late last month those laws were broadened to cover substances including LSD, heroin, and ecstasy.
A seven-minute video captured residents reflecting on the 2020 reforms, with the general view being that the changes have had a broadly positive impact. One person interviewed said attitudes toward cannabis have become "healthier."
"The consensus was the cannabis legislation changes were a step in the right direction but not far enough and the new legislation affecting all drugs are welcome changes," Stolk said.
Residents also raised concerns, including frustration with the ongoing prohibition on using artificial lighting and temperature control when growing cannabis at home.
Zammitt said: "The community identified key issues with current cannabis policy such as issues with theft and climate due to not being allowed to use artificial light sources as well as issues with seed supply. Currently a blind eye is turned regarding how legal growers obtain their seeds."
