THE WA Government's proposed cannabis reform laws may be softened further
before they emerge from Parliament.

Greens (WA) MLC Chrissie Sharp said yesterday that while her party
supported the thrust of cannabis decriminalisation, it was concerned at
plans to bolster the discretionary powers of police.

The Government will introduce legislation to fine users of small amounts of
cannabis up to $200 rather than charge them with a criminal offence.

But police will be able to charge anyone in possession of two plants or
under 30g of cannabis if they believe they are flouting the scheme's intent.

Dr Sharp said she would push for this provision to be amended. It opened
avenues for corruption and would allow police to pick and choose which
small-time users to punish.

The Government will need the support of all five Greens MLCs to get its
changes through Parliament.

"If you have a policy of decriminalisation it should be clear and policed
automatically, not left up to somebody's discretion," Dr Sharp said.

Health Minister Bob Kucera said discretionary powers would deter dealers
who wanted to test the system. "There are people who will try to get around
the new infringement system and this is the best way of stopping that," he
said.

The Government has excluded hydroponically grown drugs from the
infringement system and has reduced the threshold for drug dealing
convictions to 100g or 10 plants.

"If the Greens want to go down that path (of full decriminalisation) it
will be up to the Parliament to decide," Mr Kucera said.

Opposition Leader Colin Barnett said the Liberal Party would oppose the
legislation. Allowing the cultivation of two plants ignored the mental