Canberra Liberals would rescind controversial cannabis laws
The Canberra Liberals will reverse the ACT government’s controversial new cannabis laws if they win the next election.
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The Canberra Liberals have vowed to rescind laws legalising cannabis for personal use in the Australian Capital Territory.
The ACT Labor Government’s controversial laws will allow adults to possess up to 50 grams of cannabis and grow up to two plants, with a maximum of four plants per household, from January.
Shadow Attorney-General Jeremy Hanson said if the Liberals win the October 2020 election, the party would reverse the “dog’s breakfast of a bill” which passed parliament in September.
Mr Hanson has warned the changes would create a headache for police by making it easier for organised crime groups to supply Sydney’s drug market.
“Households can now grow four very large plants which can be bagged and taken down overnight to be sold illegally in Sydney or elsewhere,” Mr Hanson said.
“I’d imagine bikies and other crime syndicates would be looking at the ability for grow houses in the ACT.”
He also pointed to health concerns raised by peak medical groups including the Royal College of Psychiatrists, Australian Medical Association and Royal College of Surgeons.
“Condoning the use of cannabis and making it more available and accessible will have health consequences; there are concerns it will increase psychosis and mental health problems,” Mr Hanson said.
“Then there is the legislative quagmire this has created due to the conflict with federal law, which puts police in a difficult position.”
Police will retain the power to arrest and charge users for cannabis possession under Commonwealth law, which could see those caught with small amounts of the drug face huge fines and jail time.
“Where previously someone could have got a fine of $100 similar to a speeding fine, they now potentially face two years in jail,” Mr Hanson said.
“The only people really facing the criminal justice system at the moment are people who had large quantities of cannabis or who were dealing or refused to pay their (fine).”
He rejected Attorney-General Gordon Ramsay’s comment the new laws were the “will of the ACT people” after a poll found 54 per cent of Canberrans backed the proposal and only 27 per cent were against.
“Firstly it was a very small poll of 600 people which a pollster will tell you is not a number that will give you an accurate response,” Mr Hanson said.
“This is not the will of the people in that this was never an election commitment by the Labor Party, it’s been cobbled together by a backbencher.
“It’s been one of the most poorly conceived bills that I’ve seen in the assembly in it’s come out of nowhere, there’s no evidence of people calling for this to happen.”
ACT Labor backbencher Michael Pettersson, who introduced the bill, said legalising cannabis for personal use was an important step towards drug law reform.
“The ACT Government does not condone or encourage the recreational use of cannabis or other drugs,” Mr Pettersson said.
“This legislation is not revolutionary, it is a small step towards achieving better health and social outcomes for users by encouraging treatment and support instead of subjecting them to the criminal justice system.
“As the most conservative Liberal branch in the country, the Opposition’s promise to recriminalise the personal possession of small quantities of cannabis is predictable and naive.”
A total of 11 US states as well as Canada, South Africa and Uruguay have legalised cannabis, while New Zealand is expected to hold a referendum next year on the issue.
Chris Burn, 29, said he is completely for the legalisation of marijuana and said smoking pot is a great way to relax and socialise with friends.
“I fully support weed being legalised for personal use,” he said.
“I think it’s a good thing, especially because you can get a conviction for a small amount that can affect employment opportunities.
“Smoking weed affects everyone differently, there are a lot of benefits, for medicinal marijuana especially.
“On the recreational side, it good for catching up with mates, it’s good to have a smoke socially.
“It can also relieve stress, there are a lot of benefits.”