Toughen sentences for 'dangerous' cannabis:

[postman]

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/commo...%5E2702,00.html

 

 

Toughen sentences for 'dangerous' cannabis: DPP

Jeremy Roberts and Verity Edwards

February 13, 2006

 

COURTS must impose tougher sentences for cannabis-related crimes because of the damage it does to the mental health of marijuana smokers, South Australia's Director of Public Prosecutions has demanded.

 

Speaking at the first-ever "open day" for the office of the DPP in Adelaide, Stephen Pallaras QC said he was waiting for the right drug case to appeal to a higher court.

 

"I have heard the research on the link between mental illness and cannabis and it concerns me greatly," Mr Pallaras said.

 

"It may be time to reassess the way the court approaches sentencing in light of research on cannabis. We are waiting for the right case to bring before the court of appeal."

 

Mr Pallaras's plan to test judges' sentences for cannabis crimes comes as both sides of state politics have announced tougher policies on hydroponic cannabis grown for trafficking.

 

But personal use of cannabis -- defined as possession of one marijuana plant -- remains decriminalised since 1988.

 

Offenders face a maximum of 25 years in prison and maximum fines of $500,000 if caught with more than 2kg of cannabis or more than 19 plants.

 

A growing scientific consensus suggests cannabis produces serious and chronic mental illness among people who would not otherwise suffer it.

 

Mr Pallaras's plan to toughen his office's stance on sentencing in cannabis cases follows his decision last month to appeal against what he considered to be a "manifestly inadequate" sentence handed to a woman convicted of cannabis offences.

 

It was the second appeal against lenient cannabis sentences since September.

 

The Weekend Australian has studied the cases of 15 people convicted of offences including possession and production of cannabis since October.

 

Of those convicted, one person was given a two-year sentence and 12 people were handed suspended sentences.

 

The DPP appealed the three-year sentence of George Petroff, 35, in late November -- which was upgraded to four years and six months -- and in January successfully appealed the sentence of Dianna Ivic, 40.

 

The Court of Criminal Appeal replaced a suspended sentence in the District Court for Ivic with three years and a non-parole period of 18 months. The prosecutor said the sentence had been "manifestly inadequate".

[dsyfer]

We are waiting for the right case to bring before the court of appeal.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This fuckwad has just admitted that he is going to send someone up big time, just to prove a point.

 

Statements like this should be enough for dismissal, as the law no longer becomes

impartial if he is gunning for someone to make an example. Everyone is meant to be

treated equally within the system.

 

A growing scientific consensus suggests cannabis produces serious and chronic mental illness among people who would not otherwise suffer it.

This is as far from the truth as can be, the research has only ever said that it increases

the chances of early onset of mental illness only in people that are prone to it in the first

place.

 

Sorry but journalists these days are fuckwitts that can be easily bought and controlled :thumbdown

[Infinitee]

COURTS must impose tougher sentences for cannabis-related crimes because of the damage it does to the mental health of marijuana smokers, South Australia's Director of Public Prosecutions has demanded.

 

"I have heard the research on the link between mental illness and cannabis and it concerns me greatly," Mr Pallaras said.

 

A growing scientific consensus suggests cannabis produces serious and chronic mental illness among people who would not otherwise suffer it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Hrm......interesting facts.

 

And i quote from: Here

"But the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs said that on current evidence smoking cannabis was likely to increase the chances of developing schizophrenia by just one per cent."

 

Hrm....one percent hey... :scratchin ...obviously enough to change the laws then? :sly

 

They think we've gone insane?!

[Frazz]

Its no wonder Poterlaris QC was hunted out of WA....such an outspoken, interferring attention seeker this excuse for a man is

 

he regularly makes such foolish public outbursts, often directed at the government of the day

reckon its odds-on he wont get signed for another term of employment....well i got my fingers crossed on that one ::

[SukonmiSkunk]

well this is just fuckin marvalous isnt it....

oh yeah, SA's just fuckin great...

I might be moving.......

so I get of lighter for murder or rape..... i think a career change might just be in order

[HighRising]

I can't believe in the current climate WA is beggining to appear relatively progressive!

 

What is wrong with these people? Our voice must be heard, the voice of reason!

[WantDaChronic]

it sucks that they want to make an example out of someone, so much for fair and equal treatment in the court room

[Pa-uul]

Why is it the research that has prompted his desire to put away those marijuana users? Does his experience with the law tell him that increased penalties decrease use? It shouldn't. :thumbdown This has nothing to do with research. The word is that there is a political bandwagon in favour of increasing penalties and he wants on.

 

You can see the pattern emerging here. It's always the prohibitionists who are most concerned with the marijuana-psychosis theory and always use it to promote an increase in penalties. It's the same old drug war theory: punish users for hurting themselves. Drug using adults are responsible for their own lives. What they want is to be told of the health consequences and then left to make their own decisions.

 

This is about stopping the marijuana legalization movement. The only answer is to legalize despite the most dire of health warnings. Legal status should be based on use not on health consequences, like a popularity contest. :thumbsup

Edited February 17, 2006 by Pa-uul

[LOGGER_KING]

A copper told me they are cracking down on hydro because when they test it after busts,they are finding all types of differant drugs,hormones,steriods,and all kinds of shit in there.............

[Pa-uul]

A copper told me they are cracking down on hydro because when they test it after busts,they are finding all types of differant drugs,hormones,steriods,and all kinds of shit in there.............

Then they should legalize the outdoor stuff. You've got to have a carrot and a stick, not just a stick. ::