Greens plan to legalise cannabis in Australia slammed by medical experts

MEDICAL experts say the Greens’ controversial marijuana legalisation plan makes little sense at a time when governments were still trying to limit the use of tobacco and alcohol. HAVE YOUR SAY

A RADICAL Greens plan to legalise marijuana has been potted by experts who say it would increase crime and put the mental health of young Australians at risk.

The Greens will today unveil their controversial proposal to allow pot smokers to grow six plants in their backyards and buy cannabis in approved retail stores.

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With half a million Australians using marijuana every week, Greens leader Richard Di Natale said “the war on drugs has failed” and Australia should legalise it, following the lead of several big US states, Spain and Canada.

But Victims of Crime Commissioner Greg Davies said legalising cannabis was “fraught with danger” and “would create far more problems than it seeks to solve”.

“I’ll be dealing with a lot more victims,” he said.

Premier Daniel Andrews flatly rejected the plan.

“That’s not a policy we will be implementing,” he said.

He also raised concern people may be confused about the Andrews Government’s medicinal cannabis program announced in 2014, which he said was drastically different.

Greens leader Richard Di Natale says marijuana should be legalised. Picture: Lukas Coch/AAP

Australian Medical Association vice president Dr Tony Bartone said marijuana was a “risky substance” that could have “serious health implications”, especially for young people.

“Sending out a message that it should be legalised is sending the wrong message to the public,” he said.

Under the Greens plan, a central body called the Australian Cannabis Agency would licence producers and retailers and act as the nation’s sole cannabis wholesaler.

The drug could be bought from retail stores in plain packages by anyone aged over 18, with all advertising banned and sales staff required to complete mental health first aid training.

The Greens expect they could raise several hundred million dollars every year for the federal Budget by imposing the GST and federal excise on the drug, money that would be spent on treatment programs.

But while the Liberal and Labor parties have made significant moves in recent years to legalise cannabis for medicinal purposes, both would be expected to strongly oppose any move to allow recreational use.

An unidentified man smokes a bong at a 420 picnic at Flagstaff Gardens. Picture: Supplied

Dr Bartone said the AMA did not support the personal use of cannabis.

“We need to protect the young and the vulnerable, especially those with mental health issues,” he said.

“The chance of psychosis in the young brain is significantly risky ... Young people are very vulnerable to its effects as well as dependence.”

Dr Bartone said cannabis should not be treated as a criminal issue but that legalising its use was sending the wrong message.

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Mr Davies said cannabis was often a “gateway drug” for people who became ice users, and turned to violent crime to feed their addiction.

He said it made little sense to legalise another dangerous drug as governments were trying to limit the use of tobacco and alcohol.

The Greens want to keep penalties for driving under the influence of cannabis but Mr Davies said drivers would not have “even the remotest idea” of how long it stayed in their system and impaired their motor skills.

Marijuana smokers at a 420 picnic at Flagstaff Gardens. Picture: Stuart Walmsley

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Senator Di Natale, who has worked as a drug and alcohol clinician, said cannabis accounted for the most illicit drug arrests across Australia every year.

“I’ve seen that the ‘tough on drugs’ approach causes enormous harm. It drives people away from getting help when they need it and exposes them to a dangerous black market,” he said.

The latest data from the national drug strategy household survey found just 35 per cent of Australians supported the legalisation of cannabis.

Australian Drug Law Reform Foundation president Dr Alex Wodak argued banning cannabis had distracted police from “more serious crimes”, harmed young people and made criminals rich.

“Regulating cannabis will give government more control and increase government revenue, which can be used to fund drug prevention and treatment,” Dr Wodak said.

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