ISTANBUL

Lawmakers in Australia on Thursday submitted the first federal-level proposal in the country to legalize the use of cannabis.

Senator David Shoebridge, representing The Greens party, introduced the bill “to permit the adult recreational use of cannabis across the country,” the party said in a statement.

“This is the first time a bill has been introduced to Federal Parliament that could, with the support of both houses, create a legal home grow and commercial cannabis market across the country,” the party statement said.

Shoebridge said that on average, every year about 80,000 people become “victims” of Australia’s criminal justice system over possession of the plant.

“It’s time to stop pretending that consumption of this plant, consumed each year by literally millions of Australians, should still be seen as a crime,” he said.

The party aims to establish a new legal industry and boost the economy by legalizing cannabis.

The bill comes after state legislatures in Victoria, New South Wales and Western Australia received bills to legalize marijuana for personal use, proposed by the Legalize Cannabis Australia political party.