Law on drugs

Part of the Crime topic

Understand the law on drugs in Queensland.


In short

These laws and rules apply to drug-related offences in Queensland.

Use these rules to understand:

  • what a drug offence is
  • penalties for drug-related activities

Drug offences are taken very seriously in Queensland with penalties ranging from fines to life in prison depending on the type and quantity of drugs involved.

You must

To comply with the law in Queensland you must:

  • Report any knowledge of drug labs, drug trafficking, or drug dealers to Queensland Police immediately.
  • Abide by random roadside drug testing laws.

You cannot

To comply with the law in Queensland you cannot:

  • Possess, supply, traffic, cultivate or produce illegal drugs including growing cannabis plants or operating drug labs.
  • Publish or possess recipes for producing dangerous drugs, such as instructions for making crystal meth.
  • Possess drug paraphernalia for example, bongs, pipes, syringes, or pill presses, if they’ve been used or are intended to be used for drug offences.
  • Allow your property to be used for drug offences such as growing cannabis or operating a drug lab.
  • Drive, put in motion or be in charge of a vehicle with any trace of illicit drugs in your system.

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