16. In Western Australia, it’s still illegal to possess more than 50kg of potatoes
Watch out, potato lovers of Western Australia. Since 1946, it’s been illegal to own or possess more than 50kg of spuds. Like many absurd other laws on this list, the potato stricture does have a reasonable origin. In 1946, Australia was recovering from the ravages of World War II. With food scarce, many sought to profit from selling commodities at inflated prices on the black market. Preventing the stockpiling of potatoes, an important food, the Western Australian government hoped to ameliorate the supply crisis. These days, the law preserves the farmers’ monopoly and ensures prices are in their favour.
