lil angel15
Bluelight Crew
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Cannabis laws should be tightened: review
29th November 2007, 12:45 WST
A review of Western Australian cannabis laws has recommended tougher penalties for people caught with the drug, including prosecution for people growing marijuana plants.
The possession of small amounts of cannabis is unlawful but does not attract a criminal record under the Cannabis Infringement Notice (CIN) scheme in WA, providing for a fine or drug education.
A statutory review of the Cannabis Control Act, introduced four years ago, has recommended the continuation of the CIN scheme but wants it improved by reducing the quantity of cannabis to which the scheme applies from 30 grams to 15 grams.
It has also recommended removing the offences of cultivation of non-hydroponic cannabis plants from the CIN scheme and including juveniles in the scheme for which cannabis education would be mandatory.
Attorney-General Jim McGinty said under the proposed changes, people caught with more than 15 grams of cannabis would face criminal prosecution.
Between 2005 and May 2007, there were 1,839 juvenile minor drug offences recorded by WA police and the Drug and Alcohol Office has stated that most would have involved cannabis.
Of these, 228 (12 per cent) were referred to a juvenile justice team, while 1,611 (88 per cent) were issued with a caution.
“It is clear from these statistics that most teenagers don’t face any consequences for possessing cannabis and I’m sure parents would support the introduction of mandatory education to prevent future problems in their lives,” Mr McGinty said.
Mr McGinty said the government was likely to support a recommendation to significantly increase the current CIN fine of $100 for possessing up to 15 grams of cannabis to provide extra incentive for offenders to attend an education session.
Cabinet will consider the recommendations.
West Australian