Cannabis tactics wrong, says former top cop

[kiwi_farmer]

By TONY WALL - Sunday Star Times

Last updated 05:00 15/08/2010

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/4025675/Ca...-former-top-cop

© 2010 Fairfax New Zealand Limited

 

 

 

 

A recently retired senior police officer who once headed the National Drug Intelligence Bureau says police have made a "tactical mistake" in the way they deal with cannabis offences.

 

Detective Inspector Harry Quinn, who retired in 2008 after 37 years in the police, is calling on senior police to lead a debate on the cannabis issue, saying he is "disappointed" that no one in the organisation is prepared to speak out. He says this is because police see cannabis as a "political time bomb".

 

Quinn, who also helped set up the national organised crime unit and was involved in numerous cannabis eradication operations, says he took flak within police for writing a report recommending a relaxation of cannabis enforcement, which would have involved issuing warnings to adult social users.

 

A similar model has been suggested by the Law Commission, but the government has indicated it will not be changing drug laws.

 

Quinn's comments come after a recent hardline approach to cannabis, including the nationwide raids in April on hydroponic gardening stores.

 

In the latest edition of Norml News, the magazine of the National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, member Stephen McIntyre says the April raids signal a "war on cannabis" by police and that previously there had been a degree of tolerance towards home cultivation for personal use. Law reformists say there is a perception from police that because the National government is tough on crime, they should clamp down on all areas of drug enforcement.

 

Elsewhere in the world, authorities are relaxing their attitude to marijuana, with US President Barack Obama saying medical users will not be pursued, and Californians are set to vote on measures to legalise the recreational use of cannabis.

 

Quinn told the Sunday Star-Times cannabis law did not need to be changed – but the way police enforced it did. They should rigorously prosecute anyone caught dealing drugs near schools or to youth, and anyone caught with cannabis in a vehicle, but go easy on adult recreational users, he said.

 

"If someone who is 40 years old is sharing a joint with their 42-year-old neighbour, they should simply tell them to put it out. Why we are wasting time prosecuting adults for the use of cannabis? I'm buggered if I know."

 

He said the Misuse of Drugs Act clearly differentiated between those dealing to young people and adult recreational users.

 

"Police ignored it completely and dealt with all offenders in the cannabis realm exactly the same. I think that was a tactical mistake."

 

He said there were worse drugs to worry about. "The big guns in the police should be pointed at the drugs which affect people's lives and can kill people – that's not cannabis."

 

Quinn said senior police needed to take another look at the law and issue guidelines to all officers "so it permeates all through.

 

"It's not a soft approach, it's just a different way of dealing with the problem."

 

But Detective Sergeant Paul Tricklebank, of the Drug Intelligence Bureau, said cannabis was harmful and a gateway to harder drugs. He said police did not pursue social users, only growers, dealers and gang suppliers.

Edited August 15, 2010 by kiwi_farmer

[Paladin]

Such a shame that these blokes always seem to wait until they retire to speak out. It makes sense, I suppose.

 

Still - good on him for speaking out at all. This makes perfect sense.

 

I note the following regulations:

 

Australian Capital Territory

The ACT introduced a civil penalty system for the possession of small amounts of cannabis in 1993. If someone is caught with up to two non-hydroponic cannabis plants, or up to 25 grams of marijuana (cannabis plant material), they receive a $100 fine with 60 days to expiate instead of a criminal charge. Instead of paying the fine, the person may choose to attend a drug assessment and treatment program.

 

South Australia

In 1987, South Australia was the first state to decriminalise minor cannabis offences. The possession of up to 100 grams of marijuana, 20 grams of hash (the resin from the cannabis plant), one non-hydroponic plant or cannabis smoking equipment leads to a fine from $50 to $150 with 60 days to expiate.

 

Western Australia

Western Australia is the most recent area to introduce a civil penalty scheme for cannabis possession. Since 2004, a fine from $100 to $200 with 28 days to expiate is served if a person is found in possession of smoking equipment, up to 30 grams of marijuana, or two non-hydroponic cannabis plants. An alternative to paying the fine or appearing in court is to attend a cannabis education session.

 

The new Western Australian government plans to repeal these laws to return to a criminal penalty scheme for cannabis possession and cultivation offences with cautions for first offenders posessing 15 grams or less.

 

Northern Territory

Since 1996, adults found in possession of up to 50 grams of marijuana, one gram of hash oil, 10 grams of hash or cannabis seed, or two non-hydroponic plants can be fined $200 with 28 days to expiate rather than face criminal charge.

 

Anyone know when they state 'non hydroponic' does this mean stuff grown inside in soil is ok? What about coco? Or is it a basic inside/outside sort of approach?

[puredan]

I think Harry Quinn must be a real human and as for Detective Sergeant Paul Tricklebank a gate way to harder drugs ?

and if thats the case you think alcohol and other legal drugs dont ? its not the drug its the user and each to there own it should be if you are not hurting any one else it should be legal

as for alcohol you think there is no one in the world that has a problem

think about it you get drunk then tink your a big man and well what do you know theres a fight

but then add weed and your to stoned to fight and forgotten what it was about any way so you just roll one more jont and share it with the fela you was fist fighting with in the fist place (BUT WEEDS BAD) yer right

[snooch]

Or is it a basic inside/outside sort of approach?

 

I could be wrong, but pretty sure this is the case..

[brick]

Tricklebank

The name says it all!! Should be a nascar racer. Redneck.

 

In some states hydro is anything grown under lights, whatever media you are using. Fucked eh!

[headstone]

"If someone who is 40 years old is sharing a joint with their 42-year-old neighbour, they should simply tell them to put it out. Why we are wasting time prosecuting adults for the use of cannabis? I'm buggered if I know."

 

Why even worry about doing that? Any time wasted, even a second, is time that they can't get back from going after real criminals

[cybergenesis]

Jesus fucking christ.

 

You ALWAYS hear something decent like this, then at the end somebody comes along as simply vomits up the old, scientifically debunked propoganda... "Cannabis is a gateway drug".. Go fuck yourselves you stupid pricks.