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| Drug Reform Support Grows |
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Posted by CN Staff on May 27, 2002 at 10:18:44 PT By Grant Taylor and Ben Harvey Source: West Australian 
The decriminalisation of cannabis was long overdue and would not lead to increased drug usage, according to drug law reform campaigners.But the anti-drug lobby has attacked plans to overhaul WA's cannabis laws, claiming drug use will rocket, especially among children. Under legislation to be presented to State Parliament later this year, people caught with two plants or less than 30g of cannabis will face on-the-spot fines instead of a criminal conviction. No limit will be set on the number of times a person can be fined, though police will retain discretionary powers to lay criminal charges. Australian Drug Law Reform Foundation State president Jason Meotti said the reforms, outlined yesterday, reflected changing community attitudes and a growing acceptance of cannabis use. He said removing the stigma associated with the drug would also encourage those with dependency problems to seek help. "By taking it out of the criminal realm, people with cannabis use problems may actually seek help, particularly those who hold significant positions who may have been reluctant to come forward in the past," he said. Australian Family Association State president John Barich disagreed, claiming the Government was sending a message to young people that drug use was acceptable. He predicted a strong backlash from parents and others opposed to drugs. "With all the information we have from South Australia where the usage sky rocketed (after decriminalisation), parents will not have a bar of this," he said. "Geoff Gallop will be hounded on this all the way to the next election." WA Police Union president Michael Dean also said he was concerned. "There is a risk with this sort of legislation of making it (cannabis use) seem like acceptable conduct," Mr Dean said. He said leaving it up to police to decide who was charged and who received a fine could also cause problems. "I understand why they are changing the laws because it will free up police resources to focus on suppliers," Mr Dean said. "But I am concerned that the discretionary powers they plan to create could create confusion if the police service does not outline clear guidelines." The police service has supported the proposed plan. Commissioner Barry Matthews has told the State Government that the planned changes are workable and will help free police resources to focus on more serious crime. But Liberal Party leader Colin Barnett said the proposed legislation would be opposed by his party when presented before State Parliament. He said if the Government proceeded with its plans, drugs would become the main issue that the next election would be fought on. "You have a Government in this State simply pandering to minority groups," Mr Barnett said. Equipment must carry health warning Smoking implements and other cannabis paraphernalia will have to carry health warnings similar to those on cigarette packets, under proposed drug laws. Stores which stock cannabis-related products will be legitimised when possessing a bong is made legal but businesses such as Joynt Venture will be forbidden to sell their wares to minors. The hydroponics industry will also be affected by the Gallop Government's new cannabis legislation, due to go before Parliament before the end of the year. Police say it is too difficult to regulate every hardware store and specialist business which provide hydroponic equipment. Instead, new laws will give police the power to demand answers from a business if they suspect the store is involved in cannabis cultivation. Health Minister Bob Kucera said Cabinet had put its foot down on the issue of hydroponics and ensured its use in cannabis cultivation remained illegal. "That will remain totally illegal," he said. "The police will simply charge you if you grow cannabis hydroponically." The decision on hydroponics is in-line with the Government's tough-on-cannabis dealers stance. "It deals with the dealers but it makes sure we apply compassion to the users," Mr Kucera said. Related Articles & Web Site: Nimbin Mardi Grass 2002 Roll Up for Mardi Grass CannabisNews - Cannabis Archives Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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| Comment #2 posted by WolfgangWylde on May 28, 2002 at 04:43:56 PT |
| Reform organizations in WA better rally behind their man. Cannabis lovers who don't get out the vote have nobody to blame but themselves if they get complacent about having somebody who is reform-minded voted out of office. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #1 posted by Industrial Strength on May 27, 2002 at 21:01:26 PT |
| But that really seems to be the case with the vast majority of "cannabis reform" legislation. If in the next election Gallop is driven out of office by the ignorant lobbyists, who will have plenty of ammunition for a disgustingly ugly smear campaign, that will, obviously, force the next person who realizes what a fallacy prohibition is to keep their head down and their mouth closed. Hopefully, the people of Australia are not as swayed by television commercials as North Americans. I am, however, a pessimist. I think Gallop will have to realize his surname and gallop out of office. Prove me wrong good people of Australia, prove me wrong.
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