Researchers at Curtin University’s National Drug Research Institute (NDRI), along with colleagues at RMIT and UNSW, are seeking small-scale cannabis growers to anonymously share their experiences, motivations and views on policies. More than 3,500 growers from 17 countries have already taken part in the online survey.
The confidential survey aims to better understand patterns of domestic cannabis growing, including the characteristics of cannabis growers, reasons for growing, methods of growing, and experience with the criminal justice system – and how these factors differ across borders.
NDRI Professor Simon Lenton said: “The findings of our previous growers survey in 2012-13 challenged misleading stereotypes about cannabis growers and informed research-based submissions to reviews of laws and policies regarding cannabis in a number of countries, including Australia.
“For example, most Australian participants in the first survey were men with a median age of 35, and 70% were employed. They typically reported growing four to six cannabis plants, with 41% growing outdoors, 27% indoors and 32% both.
“Most Australian respondents grew cannabis for personal use and to share with friends, rather than to profit from selling it. They wanted to avoid contact with criminals, but for around one-fifth cultivation had led to contact with the police.
“Just over half said they were growing cannabis for medicinal purposes. Almost all respondents thought that if cannabis was legalised there should be regulations around who is permitted to grow the drug and how many plants should be allowed.
“A lot has happened in cannabis policy internationally and in Australia since the previous survey, including legalisation of medicinal cannabis nationally and personal cannabis use in the ACT. We need as many cannabis growers as possible to participate in this survey so we can get an updated picture of their views and experiences to inform considerations of cannabis policy in Australia and elsewhere.”
To participate, click here.
