'Lucky dip justice': The suburbs where police turn their backs on cannabis busts revealed

If you are caught with cannabis in Sydney, how the police respond may depend on where you live.

Authorities in some suburbs are known to be much more lenient on offenders than others, with a 7 News investigation revealing that your post code can help you get off with a caution.

In Nimbin in NSW north you could be forgiven for thinking marijuana had been legalized.

In this region, police let a quarter of people caught with marijuana off with cautions.

And it is happening in Sydney too.

A 7 News investigation can reveal that in Manly, Randwick, Lane Cove, Ryde and Hornsby about 50 per cent of cannabis carriers get charged.

At Strathfield, North Sydney and the Hills Shire it is about 60 per cent.

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The best place to get off if you’ve been busted for drugs is Auburn where almost seven out of 10 people with cannabis will escape court.

Laywer Andrew Tiedt from Armstrong Legal said police were within the rights in electing not to press charges.

“Police often do use discretion not to lay charges,” he said.

“Of course, it’s up to each officer why they might do that.

“There are some strict guidelines on what police need to consider before they can give someone a caution, for example, police can’t give you a caution if you have other charges beside the drug charges, or if you have a criminal record for drug possession. “

NSW Police say they “…may be influenced by a range of matters including the location itself, the type of people identified and the activity being undertaken”.

Greens MP David Shoebridge was not impressed with the differing uses of police discretion.

“Well, the fact is, when you look at these figures, it’s lucky dip justice,” he said.