CANNABIS SPOT FINES LIKELY TO STAY

Independent Dave Rugendyke's push to abolish on-the-spot fines for cannabis
offences in the ACT is likely to fail because Chief Minister Kate Carnell
said last night the Liberal Party would vote as a bloc to oppose the
legislation.

Cannabis was a "very toxic" drug with "very real side effects". There was no
evidence that changing back to the old system would stem drug use, Mrs
Carnell said.

Mr Rugendyke introduced a Bill in the Assembly yesterday to repeal
provisions in which police issue a $100 fine - no criminal conviction
recorded - for minor cannabis offences.

"The relaxation of cannabis laws has created a perception that cannabis is a
legal drug and not harmful," Mr Rugendyke said. The drug had been forgotten
in the push to "soften" heroin laws.

Mr Rugendyke said he expected Liberal support on the basis of a 1992 speech
in which Mrs Carnell opposed decriminalisation and said it would send the
wrong signal to young people.

But Mrs Carnell said the party had changed its position in relation to
cannabis offences and many drug issues in recent years.

"The whole issue of drugs in our community has fundamentally changed since
1992," she said. The Liberal Party had gone to the last election with a
policy to keep on-the-spot fines for small amounts of cannabis.

Mr Rugendyke had raised a legitimate issue in that the follow-up system for
these fines was complex and could be improved, Mrs Carnell said.

The Government planned to introduce measures to make the system
self-enforcing for those who failed to pay.

The $100 fine is issued to people caught growing up to five cannabis plants
or possessing up to 25 grams or using the drug.

Mr Rugendyke has fellow Independent Paul Osborne's vote but he will need
Labor's support to get his Bill through the Assembly. Labor voted to
decriminalise minor cannabis offences in 1992.

Labor Leader Jon Stanhope's spokesman said yesterday it was too early to say
if Labor would support Mr Rugendyke's Bill.

Under the legislation, police would have the option of issuing a caution for
minor offences.

"I have no doubts that an official caution from a police officer with a
lecture on the harm cannabis can have on your health is of greater
consequence than an on-the-spot fine which disappears into the ether," Mr
Rugendyke said.

The Bill will be debated later this year.