DANGERS IN NEW LAW ON CANNABIS

THE Gallop Government's social experiment with cannabis law got under way
yesterday, to the consternation of many people who fear that it will
reinforce the drug culture among some young people.

No one can say for certain what all the consequences of easing the law will
be, though there have been dire predictions. However, it is hard to avoid
the conclusion that many young people will see the change as a softer line
that implies that State authorities do not see cannabis use as a serious
issue that necessarily warrants criminal sanctions.

Under the law that came into force yesterday, someone could have up to 30g
of cannabis but avoid a criminal record, depending on police discretion.
Instead, such a person could be fined up to $150 and made to attend drug
education classes.

Also, households could grow two cannabis plants without occupants facing
criminal charges. They would face $200 fines and be made to attend drug
education classes.

There is an inconsistency in the law because two plants can amount to much
more than 30g. So people can be penalised not so much on the basis of how
much cannabis they possess as on whether they hold it in plant or processed
form.

In any case, it's a fair bet that most responsible adults would think that
two plants provide too much cannabis to attract the degree of official
tolerance that is now available. People who may have baulked at growing
cannabis in their backyards under threat of criminal records are likely now
to be emboldened by the softer regime. And those who grow more than they
need are likely to make their surpluses available to others.

It has been argued that blanket prohibition didn't work. But at least it
sent an unequivocal message about society's condemnation of cannabis use,
based on its acknowledged dangers and potential deleterious social effects.

Compulsory drug education classes may or may not be effective. It is likely
that users who ended up there will have already been told by parents or
teachers, or both, about the dangers of cannabis use. Their problem is not
lack of knowledge - many young people are remakably savvy about dugs and
their effects - but their sense of invulnerability which cannot be
extinguished by lectures.

The critical question is whether the new system will result in more cannabis
use, particulary among the young. Having introduced it, the Government must
accept an obligation on behalf of the community to monitor cannabis use
trends closely and report publicly and regularly on the findings.

West Australians are entitled to be informed about the consequences of this
experiment which must be ended if cannbis use increases.