NOTHING 'HARSHER' ABOUT AMENDMENTS

PETER WATNEY ('Harsher drug laws not the way to go', Letters, 27 August)
did not portray my amendments to ACT cannabis laws fairly by comparing them
to laws in Western Australia.

The fundamental difference between the ACT and Western Australia is that
police officers here would retain the option to caution minor cannabis
offenders. This option does not exist in Western Australia.

My proposal will not mean automatic conviction, as in Western Australia. So
first-time offenders are not likely to have a conviction recorded.

As for my ' harsher penalties' , it must be pointed out that I am in fact
advocating the removal of a penalty in the on-the-spot fines. A formal
caution from a police sergeant holds greater consequence than a fine that
is ignored.

My proposal sends a clear message that cannabis is illegal and harmful to
your health.

DAVE RUGENDYKE, M.L.A. Independent Member for Ginninderra