Former NT Police Commissioner Mick Palmer backs ACT on legal cannabis

THE former top cop, who now campaigns for ‘safer, saner drug laws’, called on other jurisdictions to follow Canberra’s lead

Former NT Police Commissioner Mick Palmer AO has welcomed the ‘courageous decision’ by the ACT parliament to pass a bill legalising cannabis possession for personal use.

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FORMER NT Police Commissioner Mick Palmer AO has welcomed the “courageous decision” by the ACT parliament to pass a bill legalising cannabis possession for personal use.

Mr Palmer, who also served as Australian Federal Police Commissioner until 2001, said the laws would “put control into a completely uncontrolled environment”.

“It’s a decision that will improve safety for young Australians who are vulnerable to making decisions to buy things from an unregulated and totally uncontrolled marketplace,” he said.

“We need to proceed with caution but anything that can be done to reduce the size of the uncontrolled nature of the market is an extremely positive thing to do.”

The former top cop, who now campaigns for “safer, saner drug laws”, called on other jurisdictions to follow suit.

“I look forward to seeing the result of this change and sincerely hope that the demonstrable benefits achieved will lead to other jurisdictions following the ACT lead,” he said.

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Chief Minister Michael Gunner said the NT Government would learn from the ACT’s experience.

“I think it’s exciting to see what the ACT is doing and for us to look at the impact and see what the results are,” he said.

“For me I think let ACT lead and see what we can learn from it.”

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The private member’s bill passed on Wednesday allows Canberrans over 18 to possess 50 grams of cannabis and grow two plants.

The new laws will come into effect from January 31 next year but could be vulnerable to being scotched by the Federal Government, as in the case of the NT’s voluntary euthanasia laws which were overturned by the Commonwealth in 1997.