Greens call for uniform cannabis laws

[John Kaye]

Greens call for uniform cannabis laws

Media Release: 2 May 04

Australian Greens Senate candidates Drew Hutton (Qld) and John Kaye (NSW) 
today released plans for uniform laws to regulate the availability of 
cannabis.  Both candidates were attending the Mardi Grass drug law reform 
festival in Nimbin in northern NSW.

Mr Hutton said "The Howard government's zero-tolerance, prohibitionist 
approach is a failure. Some states have started down the road of 
recognising that a harm minimisation approach to cannabis regulation breaks 
the nexus with heroin and major crime. They also recognise that it reduces 
needless contact between young people and the criminal justice system.

"Large differences between cannabis laws across the country make no sense. 
It makes a mockery of the legal system in some states while placing 
unnecessary stress on others that have adopted a common sense, harm 
minimisation approach to cannabis use.

"It's time for leadership from the federal government to ensure that all 
Australians benefit from the sensible regulation of cannabis supply," Mr 
Hutton said.

Dr Kaye joined with Mr Hutton in calling for uniform laws. He said:

"The Greens are committed to leading the way on cannabis law reform. Greens 
in the Senate will introduce laws that provide a uniform code for the 
states to follow.

"Example model provisions include:
·	removal of criminal sanctions for possession of small quantities, for 
growth of a few plants and for the sale and  purchase of small quantities 
of cannabis,
·	trials of regulated supply of cannabis,
·	more funding for research on health impacts of cannabis consumption, and
·	better access to advice and counselling for heavy cannabis users.

"Cannabis law reform has been bogged down for too long by the law and order 
hysteria and the blinkered and outdated views of a few politicians. It's 
time to recognise that cannabis use is a personal choice and that 
prohibition does nothing to protect the health and safety of young people," 
Dr Kaye said.



-------------------------
Support your List Server:
DOMAIN NAMES: http://altnews.com.au/register/
HOSTING: http://altnews.com.au/sales/
PHONE: low cost calls at http://us.altnews.com.au/1cell/
-------------------------
Hosted by Alternative News Network, Cairns, tropical north Queensland, Australia
-------------------------