MEASURING THE FALLOUT

CANNABIS users could face a penalty and reward system similar to driver
demerit points after a turnaround yesterday by the State Government.

Health Minister Jim McGinty's parliamentary secretary, Sue Ellery, conceded
the Government was considering a significant shift on legislation easing
cannabis laws.

It would, among other things, set a limit on the number of infringement
notices before a person was charged.

Under the legislation, which passed through the Legislative Assembly in
April, recreational users caught with two cannabis plants will not be
treated as criminals but issued with infringement notices with fines of up
to $200.

An amendment before the Upper House from Liberal MLC Peter Foss suggested a
person could get just two notices in 10 years before being charged. A
third notice could be given if the person voluntarily attended an education
lecture.