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ACT set to legalise possessing and growing cannabis

Possessing and growing cannabis for personal use looks set to become legal in the nation's capital.

Queensland has axed state-based approvals for patients to obtain medicinal cannabis. (AAP)

Source: AAP

The recreational use of cannabis in Canberra looks likely to become legal as the ACT Legislative Assembly is set to pass a bill.

The ACT Legislative Assembly is expected to pass a private member's bill on Wednesday from Labor backbencher Michael Pettersson that would allow Canberrans over 18 to possess 50 grams of cannabis and grow two plants.

Labor needs the backing of the Greens to pass the bill, and they have offered conditional support.

ACT shadow attorney-general Jeremy Hanson told the assembly on Wednesday the Liberal opposition would not be supporting the bill as it was badly drafted and would lead to a number of "perverse outcomes".

He said it would encourage more people to use cannabis - which medical professionals say would lead to increased rates of psychosis - and more people would be charged with drug-driving.

And the fact that it conflicted with commonwealth law would be confusing for police.

"This puts not only individuals at a greater level of risk but our police will be out there on the beat working in this unclear legal framework," Mr Hanson said.

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