NEWS: AdelaideNow - 25/09/07 'Hydroponic equipment ban '

Hydroponic equipment ban
September 25, 2007 02:30pm

Hydroponic equipment used for growing or manufacturing drugs will be banned under new laws by the State Government.

Equipment used in the cultivation of cannabis or in drug laboratories will be banned if possessed without reasonable excuse.

Maximum penalties will be two years in prison or a $10,00 fine under provisions of the Controlled Substances (Possession of Prescribed Equipment) Bill going through state parliament.

The laws are expected to come into force n the next three months.

The same penalties will apply to the possession of a document with instructions for the manufacture of controlled drugs.

Click to expand...

SA to ban drug equipment possession
September 25, 2007 - 5:39PM

Recipes for illegal drugs and the possession of equipment to make them will be banned under proposed South Australian government legislation.

SA Attorney-General Michael Atkinson on Tuesday introduced legislation to parliament that banned the possession of drug-related recipes and equipment without a reasonable excuse.

Mr Atkinson said under the legislation people would have to prove why they have equipment used in the hydroponic cultivation of cannabis or face a maximum two years jail or a $10,000 fine.

The laws would also apply to equipment for clandestine drug laboratories and drug recipes, including those to make "hash cookies" and alike that involved marijuana, he said.

Mr Atkinson said the laws were aimed at destroying the profit-making ability of bikie gangs who were known to make or cultivate drugs for sale.

"We want to make it very hard for drug cultivators and manufacturers in South Australia," he told reporters.

"We think they're a pest, they're a nuisance, they're noxious and that we ought to make their lives so unbearable they might even go to another jurisdiction."

Mr Atkinson said the government would work with the police to identify the items associated with hydroponic cannabis cultivation and illicit drug laboratories.

The law will prescribe equipment such as some types of carbon filters, strong lighting, manual or mechanical table presses and condensers.

Click to expand...