Labor, crossbench MPs oppose State Government plans for possible jail time for cannabis users
PROPOSED jail terms for people caught with cannabis risk defeat in SA Parliament, as the Opposition and crossbench raise alarm over the State Government’s new “war on drugs”.
PROPOSED jail terms for people caught with cannabis face the chop, as the Opposition and crossbench raise alarm over the State Government’s new “war on drugs”.
Attorney-General Vickie Chapman is moving to make cannabis a controlled drug, elevating it to the status of ecstasy or heroin.
This means people caught carrying or using would face maximum jail terms of two years. The cannabis crackdown is part of a broader anti-drug package.
Opposition legal affairs spokesman Kyam Maher told The Advertiser Labor strongly backed most of the plan, but held significant concerns about jail terms for cannabis.
That scepticism has been echoed by crossbenchers also critical to the legislation’s fate, one of whom fears the Government plan will result in prison for medicinal marijuana users.
Mr Maher said Labor backed “almost the entirety” of Ms Chapman’s plan.
“The one area we have reservations about is the introduction, for the very first time, of a jail term for simple possession of marijuana,” Mr Maher said.
“We think, if a young person makes one mistake and has marijuana possession once, immediately facing jail is disproportionate.”
SA Best MP Frank Pangallo said the Government was “flying in the face of what is happening overseas” as the US and Canada legalised recreational cannabis use.
“It’s also almost impossible for people (in SA) at the moment to access medicinal cannabis,” he said.
“People cannot get the prescription, and they’re dying. “People who are terminally ill and get caught with a small amount could then be up for two years’ jail.”
Independent MP John Darley said: “I don’t think increased penalties do anything, really”. “The crims don’t know about it and, what’s more, they don’t care,” he said.
Greens MP Mark Parnell said drug abuse was better dealt with in the health system.
Labor’s indication of support for the remainder of the package means a range of related measures are set to become law.
A “prescribed serious drug offender”, defined as having a number of past convictions, will be subject to higher maximum penalties.
People in possession of drugs in SA currently have the choice to avoid court by participating in an accredited drug diversion program, which will now be limited to two times.
Aggravated penalties for bikies will in effect also double their punishment for crimes including selling drug equipment, manufacture and possession.
Adults selling to children or using them to commit drug crimes would also be barred from receiving suspended sentences.