SA Government Backs Down on Jail for Cannabis Possesion

[bloodshot_eyes]

Hi all. I posted in another thread but felt it was a little off topic. For those that didn't know, the newly elected South Australian Liberal Government has launched a "War on Drugs". Part of this involved "re-criminalising" cannabis possession in SA. Cannabis possession up to 30g in public and 500g in private as well as personal cultivation of 1 outdoor plant (was originally 10 either indoor or out) was decriminalised in SA in 1987. An on the spot civil fine of maximum $500 with $125 fine for possession of less than 25g is where it currently stands.

 

The new government had proposed to increase maximum fines up to $2000 and implement criminal convictions and jail terms for possession of cannabis. This was met with a public outcry and opposition from Labor, the Greens and independent cross benches as well as the medical community and law society. I myself sent a letter to various politicians on this issue and received some pretty positive replies. Well it seems that when we speak up, we do have a voice because the Government has backed down on the "Criminal offence" aspect and jail term. They are still seeking to increase the fines for possesion though. The greens are still seeking amendments. In the following article they sited "public response" as one of the reason for the backdown. 

 

I see this as an opportunity. It seems the SA government misread the public mood on this issue. Anyone in SA should write to Labor in particular but also greens and independents and try to convince them on the foley of cannabis prohibition. We should try point out what is happening in North America and the positive benefits legal states have discovered. If we can prove to labor that the public mood is ready for legalisation they may run with it as policy at the next state election. If a major party like Labor actually ran with this, I think they would be surprisingly successful. They could topple the liberal government in SA on this issue. It would be a point of difference. I think they know this. The question is... Do they have the balls? Lets hassle them and see what happens. This weeks backdown shows that if we make enough noise, they will listen. Squeaky wheels and all that.

 

https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/sa-government-drops-jail-time-for-cannabis-possession/news-story/b66fe235675f997f288cbad1cb158a82

 

 

 

SA Government drops jail time for cannabis possession

SOUTH Australians caught with cannabis will no longer face jail terms after Attorney-General Vickie Chapman backtracked on her tough-on-drugs approach. 

Ms Chapman has ceded to community backlash and a lack of support from crossbench MPs, stripping jail terms from legislation that would elevate cannabis to the status of “other controlled drugs” such as ecstasy and heroin.

It was agreed upon during a Cabinet meeting on Monday.

The change of position, weeks after Ms Chapman revealed her tough-on-crime stance, has been condemned as a “humiliating backflip” by the Opposition.

 

Ms Chapman said it was clear jailing people for cannabis possession was “not in line with the views of a significant portion of the community”.

“When developing these changes, our intent was to align with the recommendations of the Deputy State Coroner in his inquest into the tragic death of Lewis McPherson, by increasing cannabis penalties to match other drugs,” she said.

“However, based on the feedback we have received since these changes were introduced, it is clear that this is not in line with the views of a significant portion of the community.

“We have listened to the community and our colleagues and are removing the proposed penalty of imprisonment for these simple cannabis offences.”

“This Bill needs a swift passage through our Parliament to ensure the other key aspects are operational to be able to target high-end commercial producers and sellers, and organised crime syndicates.”

 

The maximum fine for cannabis possession will still quadruple under the laws, from $500 to $2000.

The tough stance on cannabis possession had been criticised by Law Society president Tim Mellor as lacking “evidence-based justification”.

“The Bill, in our view, fails to sufficiently recognise that drug addiction is a health issue rather than a criminal justice issue,” he said in a submission to the Bill.

“To ‘win the war on drugs’, the medical and social issues that underpin drug addiction must be addressed.”

Opposition deputy leader Susan Close said it was clear Ms Chapman had been “rolled by her Cabinet in the face of public backlash”.

“Now, after being forced into dropping the penalty of prison time for cannabis possession, Ms Chapman quietly announces it on a Friday afternoon,” Dr Close said,

 

“Labor supports increasing penalties for drug trafficking and manufacturing, but facing jail time for a first time cannabis possession offence is disproportionate.”

The legislation also beefs-up a range of other drug penalties.

The aggravated penalties for bikies would in effect double their punishment for crimes including selling drug equipment, manufacture and possession.

A bikie caught in the supply or administration of a controlled drug would face a $75,000 fine and 15 years’ jail.

Edited July 21, 2018 by bloodshot_eyes

[Partimus]

Its a small win, still not happy about the crazy fines though, so I will keep writing and protesting.

 

cheers for sharing bloodshot