WA PASSES NEW CANNABIS BILL

Minor possession of cannabis in Western Australia is set to be
decriminalised after legislation finally cleared state Parliament last
night.

Labor's Cannabis Control Bill was passed on the Government's numbers, with
amendments approved by the Legislative Council.

Under the reforms, possession of up to 30 grams of cannabis leaf, or two
plants ,will no longer attract a criminal record, although a "three-strikes"
clause will target people issued with repeat infringements.

The successful passage of the bill, first introduced in March by the former
Health Minister, Bob Kucera, sees the major recommendation of the 2001
Community Drug Summit achieved.


Pubdate: Wed, 24 Sep 2003
Source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation (Australia Web)
Copyright: 2003 Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Contact: comments@your.abc.net.au
Website: http://www.abc.net.au/