Marijuana Laws
As recorded December 15, 2025 · not verified as current law. Australia law
Cannabis laws in Melbourne follow Australia’s national law. City-level policy rarely changes cannabis legality; jurisdiction law determines legal risk.
Recreational cannabis is illegal under federal law. Medical cannabis is legal with prescription. Some states and territories apply civil penalties rather than criminal charges for small personal possession.
Quick facts
- Recreational: Illegal (varies by state/territory)
- Medical: Available with prescription
- Possession: Risk varies; often civil fines for small amounts
- Buying/Selling: Illegal except medical
- Tourists: Subject to local enforcement variations
Practical guidance
Avoid cross-border transport of cannabis products. Do not assume informal tolerance equals legality.
Law Enforcement
By early 2006, sniffer dogs were turning up at public events and even on public transport. They seemed to catch people out, although powder drugs appeared to be the main target. Melbourne police generally came across as professional and polite if you treated them the same way. Bribery seemed rare. If you played your cards right, you might get a sympathetic cop. Or judge.
At the time there was one police vehicle equipped for saliva tests for cannabis and amphetamines. It had been in use for roughly a year, with little public information on the results. Long-distance truck drivers seemed to be the main focus. Random alcohol breath tests weren’t routinely paired with drug tests in the encounters described here, although there was talk of extending them.
Where to Buy Marijuana
Pubs, bars and clubs were good for meeting people. The weed itself usually changed hands at somebody’s place. It could feel like every street had a dealer once you knew a friendly local.
Marijuana Prices
Outdoor “bush” weed varied a lot in strength and quality. An ounce ran from A$80 (then about US$60) for the weakest stuff to A$230 (about US$160) for the best. Hydro was more common and generally strong, at A$240–300 per ounce (about US$170–210 at the time). Seeds brought in from Holland meant you could see pure White Widow or newer strains.
October 2008 prices in Australian dollars
- Regs: A$35 for a half-ounce, A$65 for an ounce, A$125 for 2 oz, A$210 for a quarter-pound, A$370 for a half-pound and A$700 for a pound.
- Kryp: A$15 for 1 g, A$25 for a sixteenth-ounce, A$50 for an eighth-ounce, A$100 for a quarter-ounce, A$170 for a half-ounce, A$300 for an ounce, A$550 for 2 oz, A$1,000 for a quarter-pound, A$2,000 for a half-pound and A$3,500 for a pound.
Types of Marijuana
Melbourne was a flower market in these accounts. Hash didn’t turn up. Quality varied, but the Australian weed was generally potent.
More Information
Go see a live band or find a rave. The friendly people were part of the night out.