Call for WA cannabis laws rethink

[Tom]

The Western Australian Opposition has renewed its attack on the State Government's cannabis laws after the release of a new study warning of the dangers of the drug.

 

The study by the Institute of Psychiatry in London found cannabis use increased the likelihood of psychosis in people already prone to illnesses such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

 

Under Western Australian law, people caught with a small amount of the drug can escape a criminal conviction.

 

The Opposition's drug abuse spokesman, Graham Jacobs, says the new research is further proof the laws must be repealed.

 

"Not only these studies, but from a practising doctor's point of view there are a number of patients in a practice that have fallen victim to use of cannabis, producing a disorder. The disturbing fact is that in fact in some cases that's not reversible," he said.

 

A spokesman for Health Minister Jim McGinty says mental health problems resulting from cannabis abuse are well documented.

 

He says the challenge for governments is to treat cannabis abuse as a health problem rather than just a criminal justice issue.

 

Author:ABC

Date:Tuesday, April 19, 2005.

Source:ABC

Copyright:© 2005 ABC