Indonesia arrests Australian for 59 ml of 'medical' cannabis

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JAKARTA: An Australian woman faces a potential 20-year prison sentence in Indonesia after being arrested for possessing 59 milliliters of cannabis vape liquid.

The 53-year-old was taken into custody in May at her residence on the resort island of Lombok following a police investigation into a narcotics delivery.

While the woman maintained that she utilised the substance to manage knee pain and depression, narcotics officer I Nyoman Diana Mahardika emphasized that Indonesia’s stringent anti-drug laws provide no exceptions for medical use. 

‘She must comply with the laws and regulations in force in our country. As for narcotics such as marijuana, it must not be possessed, used, or traded within our jurisdiction,’ he said.

Under current regulations, possession of marijuana is strictly prohibited within the nation’s jurisdiction. If convicted, she faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and a fine of two billion rupiah, approximately $111,000. Indonesia maintains some of the world’s most severe drug policies, reflecting a broader pattern of rigorous enforcement against international visitors found with illicit substances.