An analysis of the cultivation, consumption and composition of home-grown cannabis following decriminalisation in the Australian Capital Territory
Abstract The Australian Capital Territory (ACT), a region that includes Australia’s capital, Canberra, decriminalised small-scale cannabis cultivation and possession in January 2020. Here, we examined cannabis use and cultivation behaviours, experiences and attitudes of current and past small-scale...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-02-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-84897-w |
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| author | Cilla Zhou Isobel Lavender Rebecca Gordon Danielle McCartney Richard C. Kevin Miguel A. Bedoya-Pérez Iain S. McGregor |
| author_facet | Cilla Zhou Isobel Lavender Rebecca Gordon Danielle McCartney Richard C. Kevin Miguel A. Bedoya-Pérez Iain S. McGregor |
| author_sort | Cilla Zhou |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The Australian Capital Territory (ACT), a region that includes Australia’s capital, Canberra, decriminalised small-scale cannabis cultivation and possession in January 2020. Here, we examined cannabis use and cultivation behaviours, experiences and attitudes of current and past small-scale ACT cannabis cultivators. ACT residents (n = 311) who currently cultivate or have previously cultivated cannabis completed a cross-sectional online survey (‘CAN-ACT’) and provided home-grown cannabis for phytocannabinoid analysis (optional). Reasons for cultivation included a preference for home-grown cannabis to self-supply, enjoyment of the process and avoiding criminal networks. Cannabis intake was a median of 1 gram on a typical day used and the number of plants grown per year was a median of 4. Various cultivation challenges were identified, most commonly mould, nutrient deficiency and spider mites. Cannabis samples (n = 71) generally exhibited moderate THC content (mean 8.99 ± SEM 0.51% [w/w]) and low CBD content (< 0.1%). Few samples exceeded contaminant guidelines for heavy metals or pesticides. Respondents identified various grey areas in current legislation that might lead to inadvertent criminal activity, and many (52%) remained anxious about arrest. In general, recent legislative changes appear to support community needs. Options for further legislative refinement are discussed. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-52e42665b25a41ed8afbd720dc81be60 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-52e42665b25a41ed8afbd720dc81be602025-02-09T12:35:11ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-02-0115111710.1038/s41598-024-84897-wAn analysis of the cultivation, consumption and composition of home-grown cannabis following decriminalisation in the Australian Capital TerritoryCilla Zhou0Isobel Lavender1Rebecca Gordon2Danielle McCartney3Richard C. Kevin4Miguel A. Bedoya-Pérez5Iain S. McGregor6The Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of SydneyThe Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of SydneyThe Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of SydneyThe Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of SydneyThe Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of SydneyThe Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of SydneyThe Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of SydneyAbstract The Australian Capital Territory (ACT), a region that includes Australia’s capital, Canberra, decriminalised small-scale cannabis cultivation and possession in January 2020. Here, we examined cannabis use and cultivation behaviours, experiences and attitudes of current and past small-scale ACT cannabis cultivators. ACT residents (n = 311) who currently cultivate or have previously cultivated cannabis completed a cross-sectional online survey (‘CAN-ACT’) and provided home-grown cannabis for phytocannabinoid analysis (optional). Reasons for cultivation included a preference for home-grown cannabis to self-supply, enjoyment of the process and avoiding criminal networks. Cannabis intake was a median of 1 gram on a typical day used and the number of plants grown per year was a median of 4. Various cultivation challenges were identified, most commonly mould, nutrient deficiency and spider mites. Cannabis samples (n = 71) generally exhibited moderate THC content (mean 8.99 ± SEM 0.51% [w/w]) and low CBD content (< 0.1%). Few samples exceeded contaminant guidelines for heavy metals or pesticides. Respondents identified various grey areas in current legislation that might lead to inadvertent criminal activity, and many (52%) remained anxious about arrest. In general, recent legislative changes appear to support community needs. Options for further legislative refinement are discussed.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-84897-wCannabisCannabinoidCultivationContaminantDrug policy |
| spellingShingle | Cilla Zhou Isobel Lavender Rebecca Gordon Danielle McCartney Richard C. Kevin Miguel A. Bedoya-Pérez Iain S. McGregor An analysis of the cultivation, consumption and composition of home-grown cannabis following decriminalisation in the Australian Capital Territory Scientific Reports Cannabis Cannabinoid Cultivation Contaminant Drug policy |
| title | An analysis of the cultivation, consumption and composition of home-grown cannabis following decriminalisation in the Australian Capital Territory |
| title_full | An analysis of the cultivation, consumption and composition of home-grown cannabis following decriminalisation in the Australian Capital Territory |
| title_fullStr | An analysis of the cultivation, consumption and composition of home-grown cannabis following decriminalisation in the Australian Capital Territory |
| title_full_unstemmed | An analysis of the cultivation, consumption and composition of home-grown cannabis following decriminalisation in the Australian Capital Territory |
| title_short | An analysis of the cultivation, consumption and composition of home-grown cannabis following decriminalisation in the Australian Capital Territory |
| title_sort | analysis of the cultivation consumption and composition of home grown cannabis following decriminalisation in the australian capital territory |
| topic | Cannabis Cannabinoid Cultivation Contaminant Drug policy |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-84897-w |
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