LIBERALS SAY NO TO DOPE

[Oz]

POSSESSING or growing any amount of cannabis would again become a criminal offence, resulting in court appearances and possible jail under a tough new Opposition policy.

 

Revealing the policy to The Advertiser yesterday, Opposition Leader Rob Kerin said the current policy of issuing expiation notices was not working.

 

Mr Kerin said that since 1987, when personal use of marijuana was decriminalised, the on-the-spot fee had never been increased, adding: "Adelaide has the unenviable title of the cannabis capital of Australia."

 

Possession of less than 25g of cannabis attracts a $50 expiation fee, but individuals do not have to appear in court.

 

Mr Kerin, who announced the policy with the party's legal affairs spokesman Robert Lawson, said the fee had never been increased and yet the fee for using tobacco in the wrong place was higher.

 

"And the fee for littering is even higher again," he said.

 

Mr Kerin said the "derisory" fee of $50 had sent the wrong message.

 

"It has encouraged the development of a drug culture which, in turn, has led to increasing use of even more dangerous illicit drugs," he said.

 

Drug use is emerging as a significant election issue, with calls for more spending on mental health and attempts by lobby groups to link increased mental illness to cannabis use.

 

In January, Attorney-General Michael Atkinson said the Government had no plans to change the laws, but had considerably strengthened its stance against drug use over the past four years.

 

He said it had been made a criminal offence to grow even one plant hydroponically and there would now be testing and fines for those caught driving while under the influence of drugs.

 

The personal use of cannabis was decriminalised in SA in 1988 by the then Bannon Labor government because of concerns small-time users were clogging the courts and receiving criminal records.

 

Mr Kerin said scientific studies had established increasingly strong links between marijuana use and psychotic episodes and other severe mental disorders.

 

"Even the Victorian, Queensland and NSW Labor governments have warned that it should not be viewed as a soft drug," he said.

 

"And the fee for littering is even higher again," he said.

 

Mr Kerin said the "derisory" fee of $50 had sent the wrong message.

 

"It has encouraged the development of a drug culture which, in turn, has led to increasing use of even more dangerous illicit drugs," he said.

 

Drug use is emerging as a significant election issue, with calls for more spending on mental health and attempts by lobby groups to link increased mental illness to cannabis use.

 

In January, Attorney-General Michael Atkinson said the Government had no plans to change the laws, but had considerably strengthened its stance against drug use over the past four years.

 

He said it had been made a criminal offence to grow even one plant hydroponically and there would now be testing and fines for those caught driving while under the influence of drugs.

 

The personal use of cannabis was decriminalised in SA in 1988 by the then Bannon Labor government because of concerns small-time users were clogging the courts and receiving criminal records.

 

Mr Kerin said scientific studies had established increasingly strong links between marijuana use and psychotic episodes and other severe mental disorders.

 

"Even the Victorian, Queensland and NSW Labor governments have warned that it should not be viewed as a soft drug," he said.

 

Author: By GREG KELTON

Date: 03/03/06

Source: Advertiser Newspapers Pty Limited

Copyright: © Advertiser Newspapers Pty Limited

[Oz]

GROWING or possessing cannabis for personal use will become a criminal offence in South Australia if the Liberals win this month's state election.

 

Under current laws police merely issue an expiation notice.

But Opposition Leader Rob Kerin said that policy was not working and there were growing concerns over the links between drug use and mental health and youth suicide.

 

"Adelaide has the unenviable title of the cannabis capital of Australia," Mr Kerin said.

 

Under a Liberal Government all private growers and users would be forced to front court and fines would be increased.

 

Mr Kerin said the current fine of just $50 sent the wrong message. Tougher penalties were applied for littering, he said.

 

The Labor Government has warned that moving to criminalise simple marijuana use would clog up the court system.

 

The Australians Democrats have described the policy as poorly researched, backward and dangerous.

 

Author: AAP

Date: 03/03/06

Source: Herald Sun

Copyright: © Herald and Weekly Times

[dsyfer]

Hrmmmm isn't Rob Kerin a bigger piss-head than most?

 

The guy has demolished more slabs in his time than any other Opposition leader.

 

Aren't you sick of being used as an election vote winner?

[WantDaChronic]

The Australians Democrats have described the policy as poorly researched, backward and dangerous.

 

atleast they have some sense to their party

[bloodshot_eyes]

If all goes as it seems at the moment its looking as if Libs will lose in a Landslide. (Rannslide) I'm just hoping all is as seems.. I gotta say though Rann aint much better, he was the one who drastically slashed the amount one can grow in this state. We need to be voting greens people....

[Gruntus]

Kerin also wants to introduce sniffer dog into schools to curb the marijuana menace:

"Under the Liberal policy, schools will have the power to respond quickly to the suspected presence of drugs on school premises.

The use of sniffer dogs in schools will have a strong deterrent effect on those students who may be tempted to peddle or use drugs at school.

And we will not be restricting this zero tolerance policy to the education system.”

Yes, this guy is a bigger asshole than Rann. As a cannabis user and advocate I have no reasonable choice other than to vote Greens - they're the only party that aren't trying to make me a criminal.. Edited March 5, 2006 by Gruntus

[WantDaChronic]

Kerin also wants to introduce sniffer dog into schools to curb the marijuana menace:

Yes, this guy is a bigger asshole than Rann. As a cannabis user and advocate I have no reasonable choice other than to vote Greens - they're the only party that aren't trying to make me a criminal..

 

thats fucked up, i know if they introduced that shit when i was at school i would have pulled out and been home school