Pubdate: Thu, 10 Apr 2003
Source: West Australian (Australia)
Copyright: 2003 West Australian Newspapers Limited
Contact:  http://www.thewest.com.au
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/495
Author: Cian Manton
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

LAW ON DEALING NOT AFFECTED - KUCERA

The State Government had faith in the police service's ability to determine 
the difference between a cannabis dealer and a personal user, Health 
Minister Bob Kucera told the Legislative Assembly yesterday.

The Opposition continued its attack on the proposed changes to cannabis 
laws, asking Mr Kucera during question time to concede that the legislation 
was open to abuse by drug dealers.

Under the proposed laws, people who grow two non-hydroponic plants or 
possess less than 30g of cannabis for personal use would not be treated as 
criminals.

Shadow police minister Matt Birney said there was no section in the Bill to 
ensure that people caught selling cannabis within the proposed 30g limit 
were charged with dealing.

It was entirely at the discretion of police.

Mr Kucera said drug dealers would be treated as such, regardless of the 
quantity.

"If you have one single gram of cannabis on you that is prepared by you to 
give, supply or sell to anybody else, you are a dealer. It does not matter 
what the amount," he said.

"I have got enough faith in the police officers of this State to know they 
can use their discretion properly."

Mr Kucera accused the Opposition of running a misinformation campaign by 
saying that the Government's proposed laws would allow people to possess or 
cultivate cannabis.

It would remain illegal and the option to take criminal sanctions against 
anybody was always there for police, he said.

Opposition Leader Colin Barnett said Mr Kucera had claimed the Bill was 
aimed at protecting children who might make a mistake and experiment with 
cannabis but the legislation did not apply to juveniles. It also allowed 
for multiple offences.

On Tuesday, Mr Barnett said the changes would take away the moral authority 
of parents to bring up their children drug free.

Yesterday, Catholic Bishop of Broome Christopher Saunders wrote to Premier 
Geoff Gallop, calling for MPs to be given a conscience vote on the Bill, 
which he described as a tragedy.

Bishop Saunders said in the letter that to decriminalise cannabis would be 
to normalise the use of the drug and give it tacit approval.

He said Dr Gallop should instead increase police resources to deal with the 
problem.

The legislation represented little understanding of the damage cannabis did 
to the social fabric of the community, he said.
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