CALL FOR MP DRUG TEST BEFORE CANNABIS VOTE

STATE MPs should volunteer to take a drug test before voting on the
Government's proposed cannabis reform laws, says Hillarys Liberal MLA Rob
Johnson.

As debate continued yesterday on the Cannabis Control Bill 2003, he said
the test would show if any politicians had vested interests in the
legislation and should disqualify themselves from the debate.

"It would be interesting to see which members volunteer," Mr Johnson said.
"I have a sneaking suspicion that there are some members in this Parliament
that do actually have the odd marijuana cigarette. If they do, they should
declare that interest and abstain from speaking and voting on this Bill."

He said he would be the first to volunteer for a test. He was pleased to
say he had never succumbed to trying cannabis, despite wondering 20 years
ago if he was missing out on something.

Under the proposed law, police would have discretion to issue infringement
notices for up to $200 for possessing less than 30g of cannabis, or up to
two plants.

Former minister Mike Board apologised for misconceptions he might have
caused last week when explaining his involvement in a company that sold
smoking apparatus.

He said on Thursday he had believed at the time that cannabis would be
decriminalised and it was a good business decision.

The West Australian reported in 1997 that Mr Board said the company was
involved mainly in clothing, and he had been ignorant of some aspects of
the business, including the sale of bongs and what they were used for.

"I wish to make it clear that these comments, I believe, are entirely
consistent with those made in 1997," he said yesterday.

"My statement last week that my involvement in the company was a reasonable
business decision related to my decision to remain involved in the company
after I became aware of what the implements were used for."

Rockingham MLA Mark McGowan attacked Opposition Leader Colin Barnett over
his pledge that the Liberal Party would vote against the Bill, saying it
meant the party was voting against lower thresholds for drug dealing and
against regulation of smoking equipment sales and hydroponic equipment.

South Perth Independent MLA Phillip Pendal said he was concerned about the
impact of the laws on indigenous communities because of links between
cannabis use and social problems and community disruptions.

Shadow police minister Matt Birney said asking police officers to use their
discretion when deciding whether to charge people as dealers for growing
two plants or possessing less than 30g of the drug would make them
vulnerable to corruption allegations.

The end result would be that law abiding citizens would become cannabis
smokers, cannabis smokers would become growers and growers would become
dealers.