Pubdate: Fri, 3 Feb 2006
Source: Daily Telegraph (Australia)
Page: 3
Copyright: 2006 News Limited
Contact:  http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/113
Author: Simon Benson
Cited: Premier Morris Iemma 
http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/Prod/Parlment/Members.nsf/0/e55b7298155d99934a25674500016574
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

HARD LINE ON DRUGS

CANNABIS smokers may be forced to take counselling sessions on the 
links between marijuana and mental disorders to avoid being charged 
on a first offence, in a rewriting of NSW drug laws.

The Daily Telegraph has learned Premier Morris Iemma called for a 
review of the cannabis cautioning scheme to send a stronger message 
about the effects of marijuana on mental health.

But the real crackdown will be brought to bear on those caught 
growing high strength (hydroponic) cannabis - now thought to be a 
significant factor in rising mental health problems.

The Government is about to introduce what it claims will be the most 
hardline legislation in the country, with people facing 10-year jail 
sentences for growing as few as five hydroponic plants.

Sentences of 20 years will be made law for crops of 200 plants. A 
range of new offences will also apply to people who expose children 
to hydroponic drug houses.

Mr Iemma has undertaken a complete rewriting of cannabis laws in 
response to concerns from health authorities that it is a significant 
contributor to the mental health crisis.

"No one wants to see a young person who has made a genuine mistake, 
unfairly punished," Mr Iemma said.

"But we can't downplay the health and social consequences of regular 
cannabis use.

"That's why I want to see whether this scheme can be used to further 
tackle cannabis use and its devastating impact on mental health.

"There is growing evidence of a link between long-term cannabis use 
and the incidence of severe mental health problems," said Mr Iemma.

"Regular cannabis use can exacerbate mental illnesses and associated 
criminal activity. Experts tell us that potent, hydroponically grown 
cannabis is a particular problem."

Hydro, as it is known, can be between five and seven times stronger 
than conventionally grown marijuana.

The cautioning scheme for people caught with 15g of marijuana was 
introduced in 2000 to offer police an alternative to charging 
offenders and clogging courts with petty offences.

It has been hailed a success for freeing up police to tackle serious 
crime and keeping people from attracting criminal records for minor offences.

Users are issued with a warning for the first offence and then issued 
with a caution on the second, requiring them to call a counselling 
service. But less than 14 per cent comply.

The Government is drafting its response to a review of cannabis 
cautioning undertaken by the Bureau of Crime Statistics. 
- ---
MAP posted-by: Richard Lake