License growers, sellers of cannabis: report

[weedjoy]

A REPORT has recommended the decriminalisation of cannabis and ecstasy in some circumstances, and the Victorian branch of the Australian Medical Association agrees a new approach is needed.

 

The report, by a group of prominent Australians including University of Melbourne's former dean of medicine David Penington, recommends that cannabis and ecstasy be decriminalised for people aged 16 and older who are willing to be recorded on a national confidential users' register.

 

Users would be able to buy drugs from an approved supplier, most likely a chemist.

 

The report, prepared by non-profit group Australia21, said prohibition had failed, leaving the manufacture and supply of illicit drugs in the hands of ''criminal elements'' and without proper safeguards and quality control.

 

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Victorian AMA president Stephen Parnis said drugs policy should be based on evidence.

 

''We cannot allow prejudice to drive drugs policy in this country,'' he said. ''It is really important that we keep looking at the evidence on this issue and don't allow ourselves to become closed-minded about the best way to deal with drug problems in our society.''

 

One proposal in the report is that cannabis be controlled with taxation, with growers and sellers subject to ''hard-to-get but easy-to-lose'' licences for cultivation and wholesale and retail supply.

 

Cannabis packets would be required to be plain and have warning labels similar to cigarette packets, and people buying cannabis would be forced to show identification that proved their age.

 

Former Australian Federal Police commissioner Mick Palmer said criminalisation was failing to deter drug users.

 

''On any objective assessment, policing of the illicit drug market has had only marginal impact on the profitability of the drug trade or the availability of illicit drugs'' Mr Palmer said.

 

''Whilst controlling and reducing drug-related criminal trafficking and related offences must remain an important part of any strategy, it should be complementary to the primary aim of providing health and social care and support for drug addicts and users. This should not be construed, however, as suggesting that any message that is given is not strongly negative to drug use.''

 

The report calls on the government to consider international examples such as Portugal and Switzerland, which have used decriminalisation in combination with law enforcement measures. All the international examples produced positive health benefits to users without increasing the rate of drug use.

 

It also calls for a national drug summit to be held next year, including a broad group of stakeholders, including parliamentarians from all sections of the political spectrum.

 

Greens Senator Richard Di Natale, who contributed to the report, said the report offered politicians a chance to discuss drugs policy without fear of political repercussions.

 

''I have lost count of the number of politicians who privately say to me, 'we're on the wrong track', but stay silent publicly,'' he said.

 

''What we need to be doing is starting to treat this issue as a health issue, rather than a law enforcement issue.''

 

The Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association and state and federal governments had demonstrated ''a stubborn resistance'' to discussing the benefits of reforming drugs policies.

 

With AAP

 

Read more: http://www.theage.co...l#ixzz25z4pfVbt

[Frazz]

No way is that the kind of legislation we need or want!

taking the hobby growers out of the scene and handing over the growing, packaging and sale of Cannabis to(most likely) Tobacco companies

and having to Register ones self with a Drug Board and going down the Chemist for your pre-determined weekly ration of manufactured joints of such low psychoactive content that it may as well be leaf

 

Pig's Arse! .... is what i say to that sterile, half-arsed report recommendations

 

[Ford Fairlane]

No way is that the kind of legislation we need or want!

taking the hobby growers out of the scene and handing over the growing, packaging and sale of Cannabis to(most likely) Tobacco companies

and having to Register ones self with a Drug Board and going down the Chemist for your pre-determined weekly ration of manufactured joints of such low psychoactive content that it may as well be leaf

 

Pig's Arse! .... is what i say to that sterile, half-arsed report recommendations

 

Gotta egree with you Frazz!! However, these are preliminary discussions and therefore all avenues must be explored. I think it is not a bad idea to sell and tax cannabis(There are a number of people who have no interest in growing), BUT, if a user wants to produce their own, then that should be made legal too.. Make sure you email Australia21 (lyn.stephens@australia21.org.au) and let them know what you think.. This could be a moment in history where we can make a BIG difference!!

[rozaybawse]

No way is that the kind of legislation we need or want!

taking the hobby growers out of the scene and handing over the growing, packaging and sale of Cannabis to(most likely) Tobacco companies

and having to Register ones self with a Drug Board and going down the Chemist for your pre-determined weekly ration of manufactured joints of such low psychoactive content that it may as well be leaf

 

Pig's Arse! .... is what i say to that sterile, half-arsed report recommendations

 

 

Obviously it's not the ideal situation, but do you think it would be a step in the right direction?

[The Hash Nibbler]

Its hopefully going to get the Twats in power thinking theres money to be made from Cannabis reform......imagine the tax.....$$$$.......

Not to mention Tourism, etc , etc.

But I think the licences should not be handed over to a "Growing operation" but rather there be 2 types, one for commercial supply for the government sold crud........ and a licence for Hobbyists, or self sufficiency growers. And that growers clubs be allowed to operate so these growers can further breed and develop strains.

Lets face it, we know more about cannabis than anyone in Government.

 

Its my life dream to see the use of Cannabis decriminalized......been waitin 25 years.....but not sure I wanna register myself as a "Drug User" on a national register....... dont have to do that for cigarettes..... hehe.

 

As usual though, this report comes out and is totally ignored by mainstream media.................

 

Peace. Nibbler.

[Frazz]

Obviously it's not the ideal situation, but do you think it would be a step in the right direction?

 

no i dont , because this paper is the very same blueprint drafted for Tobacco laws ,

first thing they did was breed the psychoactive qualities out of Tobacco (yes, tobacco was once psychoactive like Cannabis is) and further adulterated tobacco with a toxic combination of chemicals and poisons , handed exclusive rights of manufacture and distribution to a few select corporations , made it illegal with harsh penalties for anyone else who grew tobacco ...

how can this discussion paper be seen as 'a step in the right direction' ..

well it depends which direction you desire i guess

but if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck , its probably is a bloody duck!

 

[smashed1]

shit never new tobaccie useto get ya stoned , i would'nt mind some wacky tobaccie

[Vape]

IMO... * cannabis should be legal to grow for personal use, limited to an amount deemed for personal use.

* i think commercial growers should be licensed. and regulated.

* cannabis should be limited to over 21 yr old persons

* regulated product should be sold and tax as per everything else on the planet.

* education is needed, to dissolve the ignorance..and fear caused by the 'reefer madness' bullshit..

* we need to start using this fantastic plant as nature intended, for food , fuel, clothing, medicine, etc..the list goes on..

 

vape for life.!!!!

 

sirvapealot

[Sinking]

IMO... * cannabis should be legal to grow for personal use, limited to an amount deemed for personal use.

* i think commercial growers should be licensed. and regulated.

* cannabis should be limited to over 21 yr old persons

* regulated product should be sold and tax as per everything else on the planet.

* education is needed, to dissolve the ignorance..and fear caused by the 'reefer madness' bullshit..

* we need to start using this fantastic plant as nature intended, for food , fuel, clothing, medicine, etc..the list goes on..

 

vape for life.!!!!

 

sirvapealo

i agree it should be legal for hobby grows just like booze.. but reselling is not. people who want to buy can go to a store, both win.

[Ford Fairlane]

i agree it should be legal for hobby grows just like booze.. but reselling is not. people who want to buy can go to a store, both win.

Why shouldn't growers be able to sell their product. why should it only be for the gov. to make money off.