CANNABIS LAW TO HIT HEALTH: MP

THE new cannabis law which comes into effect in WA next week will put more
pressure on a struggling health system, particularly mental health,
according to Independent MLA Janet Wollard.

She said it would encourage young people to try cannabis, which could act
as a gateway drug and lead to side effects from psychosis to paranoia and
impaired judgement.

From March 22, people caught with less than 30g of cannabis or smoking
implements will be given the option of a fine or atttending an education
session with a drug counsellor.

"Teenagers will argue that smoking marijuana can't be such a big deal if
the Government is prepared to reduce the penalties for some offences," Dr
Woollard said.

Drug and Alcohol Office acting executive director Steve Allsop said laws
for people under 18 years would remain the same and would be dealt with
through the juvenile justice system.

For people over 18 years, cannabis use remained illegal and police had the
option to lay criminal charges or issue a cannabis infringement notice,
which would result in the fine or conselling option.

Curtin University's National Drug Research Institute senior research fellow
Simon Lenton said Australian and international studies had shown cannabis
use did not increase when civil penalties were imposed.

The studies also showed criminal penalties did not act as more of a
deterrent than a fine.

Dr Lenton said criminal charges against a person possessing a small amount
of cannabis had negative social impacts such as job loss or increasing
involvement with the criminal justice system.

"We know that a criminal record is a barrier to people seeking help and the
new scheme addresses this," he said.

"It is about treating cannabis use primarily as a health issue, rather than
a criminal one."

Mr Allsop said information was a key part of implementing the new law.

Liberal MLC Simon O'Brien said the information campaign showed the public
perception was that the State Government had softened its approach to
cannabis use.

"Despite what the Government says, it sends out a message that this
government thinks cannabis use is OK," he said.