cannabisnews.com: New Cannabis Law Kicks Off Today 





New Cannabis Law Kicks Off Today 
Posted by CN Staff on March 21, 2004 at 14:01:59 PT
By Ben Martin 
Source: West Australian 
From today, possession of small amounts of cannabis might not be considered a crime in WA. At a police officer's discretion, a person can have up to 30g and still avoid a criminal record, instead paying a fine up to $150 and going to compulsory drug education classes.And a household will be allowed to grow two cannabis plants without the occupants facing criminal charges. They will be fined $200 and have to go to drug education classes.
The changes were recommended at the community drug summit in 2001. The Government's aim is that more people will be referred for medical help for cannabis use and that people in the compulsory education and treatment programs will understand the health effects of cannabis.Police do not expect a big change from the Court government policy which gave officers the discretion to issue cautions to first offenders.Organised crime Det-Supt Jim Migro said the changes would cut the time police spent on administrative tasks and court appearances over small amounts of cannabis.But police would not be more lenient on drug dealers and or less vigilant when investigating drug use.Dealers would still be charged with criminal offences and police still could charge people even if they had less than 30g of the drug.The new laws expressly prohibited hydroponically grown plants.Supt Migro said it was important to note that possessing cannabis was not legal under the new laws but had simply been decriminalised.The Opposition said the message for young people was that possessing cannabis was not serious.Opposition Leader Colin Barnett and Liberal MLC Simon O'Brien visited a drug rehabilitation centre for girls yesterday.Mr O'Brien said a Liberal government would repeal the laws - they were a danger to children.Mr Barnett said the laws, which would be interpreted as tacit approval of cannabis use, were trendy among some sections of the community who had influenced Premier Geoff Gallop's law-making.Dr Gallop said Mr Barnett was a desperate politician in a desperate situation and the misinformation did the Opposition very little credit.The laws were common sense, the punishment would fit the offence.Cannabis use was still illegal and campaigns against traffickers would continue. "A lot of (police) work has been taken up in these sorts of offences and they would much rather be going for the drug traffickers," Dr Gallop said.Source: West Australian (Australia)Author: Ben Martin Published: March 22, 2004Copyright: 2004 West Australian Newspapers LimitedContact: letters wanews.com.auWebsite: http://www.thewest.com.au Related Article:Cannabis Use Decriminalisedhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18529.shtmlCannabisNews -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml
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Comment #6 posted by afterburner on March 25, 2004 at 10:05:11 PT:
Health Canada, Wake Up, Use Available Resources...
and stop listening to cops; their expertise is not in the healthcare area; they only know prohibition, an eighty year nightmare, "a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more. It is a tale told by an idiot: full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." --William Shakespeare"On October 7, 2003 the Ontario Superior Court ruled that business and individuals be allowed to grow and supply medical marijuana, effectively relieving the Canadian government of its often criticized and fairly unsuccessful attempts."However, Health Canada has not appealed this decision. Instead in their arrogant way they simply choose to ignore it, at their own peril. Health Canada is not above the law, and they are not the law. You'd think they would have figured that out by now. But their arrogance, their belief in their own professionalism and power, blinds them to the true facts that they really do not know much about medical cannabis and look with distain on the compassion clubs that do have the knowledge Health Canada needs. Medical Freedom Amendment for 2004!
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on March 25, 2004 at 08:03:59 PT
Related Press Release from Amigula Inc.
The World's First Publicly Traded Marijuana Company Announces that Western Australia Decriminalizes MarijuanaSource: Amigula, Inc.NEW YORK, March 25, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Amigula Incorporated -- The World's First Publicly Traded Marijuana Company intends to expand into the lucrative Western Australia market. Amigula Incorporated (Pink Sheets:AMJL) a publicly traded company in the United States is seeking to list on the Australian stock exchange. Western Australia -- Marijuana use as of today is effectively decriminalized. Western Australian Premier Geoff Gallop has defended the State's new cannabis laws, which came into effect yesterday. People caught with a small amount of cannabis, or with no more than two plants, will either be fined or will have to complete a counseling session, rather than incur a criminal record. "We are not legalizing the use of cannabis but we're putting in place more liberalization with appropriate penalties. "This is a good news day for us states," Warren B. Eugene President of Amigula Incorporated. "Now that Western Australia has had the foresight to decriminalize marijuana it won't take long for them to realize that there is a large potential tax base to capitalize on. The entire region will eventually unfold and we will be able to market our brands there." "This is another remarkable opportunity for our company," says Peter Hilton Mijovick, treasurer of Amigula Incorporated. "Warren Eugene, our company President, has once again called this one right. He said that Australia and New Zealand would be the first in the region to decriminalize marijuana -- the way things are unfolding -- we could be in multiple markets within the year." Says Warren Eugene, "We intend to file with the Australian Stock Exchange. We will focus on the revenue model for medical and recreational marijuana." Mr. Eugene also goes on to say, "It would make good economic and political sense in Australia to regulate and tax marijuana as they do tobacco and alcohol. There is a huge, untapped taxable base available to support many initiatives including the paying down deficits, the funding of social initiatives such as the ailing school system and the distraught medical system, social insurance, homelessness, the arts, sports -- all contribute to the overall good of people around the world. In just this stand alone model, over $900 million per year in tax revenue may be realized." The company is an original-agricultural-pharmaceutical-brand. Mr. Eugene is planning to attract large-name Hollywood celebrities to endorse his company's marijuana products. He feels the timing -- becoming a reporting issuer -- is very beneficial to the project. Mr. Eugene is recognized as a pioneer in industry as a founder of both Internet Gaming and E-cash (Electronic Cash), producing timely entrepreneurship while recognizing opportunities created through technological advances. He has been featured in esteemed publications like Time Magazine, USA Today, and The Wall Street Journal as well as prominent network and distribution channels like CNBC, CBS, MSN, CNN, Reuters, Bloomberg, PBS, AM New York and hundreds of international news services. About Amigula Inc. Amigula Inc. -- http://www.Amigula.com -- has recently completed the purchase of 51% of Medical Cannabis Inc. and has announced their plans to file as a reporting issuer. The company plans to list on a major exchange beginning with an application for a listing on the American Stock Exchange (AMEX) or Nasdaq as well as several European exchanges. The company views the current prohibition of marijuana as similar to that of alcohol, beer and tobacco. Canada's marijuana crop alone is estimated at $4 billion to $7 billion. If a single company controlled it, it would be larger than Canada's oil and gas business and agricultural industries. On October 7, 2003 the Ontario Superior Court ruled that business and individuals be allowed to grow and supply medical marijuana, effectively relieving the Canadian government of its often criticized and fairly unsuccessful attempts. Health Canada "permitted persons" (exemptees) can now pay Amigula to grow marijuana for them. The ruling makes it easier for sick people to get marijuana by allowing them easier access -- more choice and fair prices. The company has a mandate to develop and improve the medical marijuana business worldwide and is on the acquisition and consolidation trail of other legal licensed marijuana operations with notable international brands. Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Those statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company and its management. Such statements reflect management's current views, are based on certain assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results, events, or performance may differ materially from the above forward-looking statements due to a number of important factors, and will be dependent upon a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, our ability to obtain additional financing and access funds from our existing financing arrangements that will allow us to continue our current and future operations. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date hereof or to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with regard to these forward-looking statements or the occurrence of unanticipated events. http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/news_releases.mhtml?d=54785
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Comment #4 posted by E_Johnson on March 22, 2004 at 09:17:48 PT
What????
"The new laws expressly prohibited hydroponically grown plants.
"Is this because they make us look too clever?After all, how many police officers even understand how they work?We can't be growing pot in ways that make the rest of society feel ignorant or unskilled, can we?They've given us the job of being the dumb ones they look down upon, after all, and hyrdo setups pretty much defeat that premise.
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Comment #3 posted by kaptinemo on March 22, 2004 at 06:24:26 PT:
The antis of OZ know the end is near
That's why they are still holding on with the barest edge of their fingernails and teeth to the control apparatus by insisting on these ridiculous fines and 'treatment' schemes. A few well placed losses in court demonstrating just how ridiculous it is could cause the rest of the unstable house of cards to fold completely. Let's hear it for OZ!
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Comment #2 posted by E_Johnson on March 21, 2004 at 14:39:26 PT
Let's hope they don't use it to extort sex
Criminal charges that are left up to the discretion of the officer can sometimes turn into sexual extortion among the less morally committed LEOs.
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Comment #1 posted by Virgil on March 21, 2004 at 14:24:08 PT
The victims should be teaching
And a household will be allowed to grow two cannabis plants without the occupants facing criminal charges. They will be fined $200 and have to go to drug education classes. Just what do they think they are going to teach at these robbery sessions. Are they going to take people's money and time just to tell them lies? This sounds like a situation where the pupil starts out as the teacher instead of passing the teacher in the usual "The pupil becomes the teacher" expression.Will they tell them that in the UK cannabis is a Class C substance after considering its proper place in a classification of harm and that the US says the same benign plant is a dangerous and addictive substance? Will they say that only one side can be right in its assessment and ask the class to respond using their experience? No. They want to play games instead of bringing the plant that will reduce the harms of substance abuse of all substances to the solution. Free Cannabis is the biggest step to harm reduction from substance abuse and the corrupt laws that govern them.Now class, are cannabis seeds properly called plant seeds or drug seeds?
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