cannabisnews.com: Laws Eased on Backyard Marijuana Laws Eased on Backyard Marijuana Posted by FoM on November 28, 2001 at 09:54:17 PT By Wendy Pryer Source: West Australian Growing two cannabis plants, or fewer, in the backyard and possessing up to 25g of marijuana will result in a fine instead of a criminal conviction under a Gallop Government plan on drugs released yesterday.The Government has set up a committee to rewrite the Misuse of Drugs Act. The committee is due to report by March on penalties for infractions by people growing two cannabis plants or fewer for their own use. The previous coalition government brought in a cautioning system which applied only to first offenders in possession of 25g of cannabis or less.The cautioned offenders were not fined but were required to attend drug education classes. Further offences were dealt with by courts.Premier Geoff Gallop said yesterday that despite the delay in implementing the proposed legislation, the WA Police Service had been asked to immediately extend the current cautioning system to all offenders. Police have also been asked to caution people found with one or two cannabis plants in their backyard before the legislation, due next year, is introduced. Those people will still be required to attend drug education classes.A similar system in South Australia imposes fines ranging from $50 to $150 for the possession of up to 100g of marijuana and the cultivation of three, or fewer, cannabis plants before a criminal offence is recorded.The response to the community drug summit's recommendations for prohibition with civil penalties in relation to marijuana use also mentions new laws which will help police prevent drug trafficking.There will be a public education campaign about changes to the laws and the risks associated with using marijuana or other cannabis-derived drugs such as hashish.The Government will continue to monitor marijuana use among Year 7 to Year 12 students. Monitoring of the potency of the drug will also continue. A spokeswoman for Health Minister Bob Kucera said it was likely that the task force looking at cannabis laws would also consider the medical use of cannabis.In 2000-01, 75 per cent of all drug offences related to marijuana use - 50 per cent of those charges related to possession of the drug.More than 93 per cent of the 10,056 people charged last financial year with possession of marijuana, or with implements designed to smoke it, ended up before the courts.Dr Gallop said such people were tying up the courts and precious police resources were being wasted.Simon Lenton, research fellow at the National Drug Research Institute based at Curtin University, supported the Government's response yesterday, adding that there was no evidence that South Australia's prohibition with penalties approach to cannabis had led to increased use of the drug.Mr Lenton said that despite prohibition, the cultivation of cannabis in WA backyards took place to the same extent as that in South Australia.Source: West Australian (Australia)Published: November 28, 2001Copyright: 2001 West Australian Newspapers LimitedContact: letters wanews.com.auWebsite: http://www.thewest.com.auCannabisNews - Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #16 posted by FoM on November 29, 2001 at 07:31:30 PT Pumpkins My opinion is a plant could yield differently just like a farmer who grows pumpkins. You can grow a normal size pumpkin or nuture a really good specimen and it will become a monster size pumpkin. Sorry for using a pumpkin as an example put that's what popped into my head. [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by kanabys on November 29, 2001 at 05:21:47 PT much more than an oz. I agree with troll420 even though his comment was on the rude side. I once saw one indoor plant produce no less than 9 ounces. This was dry weight of buds only using an analytical scale. greenfox, maybe you need to study up on growing a little more, it may be useful. I don't intend to dis you, just a little advice. Sorry if you are offended or anyone else for that matter. Peace [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by freedom fighter on November 29, 2001 at 02:58:53 PT One small step, a giant leap for mankind Having seen GreenFox's work, I can understand his viewpoint. At least, a person in Australia would not have a criminal record if get caught with two plants or 25g less for the first time. Especially in Australia where in some part of the country, you are not even allow to have dogs or cats in your home. ff [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by humulus on November 29, 2001 at 02:33:02 PT Well im a west aussie! I cannot underestimate the significance of this move by the government of WA who along with the northern territory is very repressive.. Have you guys heard of the mandatory sentencing laws for repeat juvenile offenders? well anyway this signifies a move in policy from fascist 'get tough' win quick votes - to the democratic harm minimisation that we want for victimless crime - onward and forward!!!! [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by military officer guy on November 28, 2001 at 20:42:32 PT i'm luvn it.... this is great, two of our bestest allies are getting a clue, and i'm luvn it...EVENTUALLY we too will get a clue, and the walls will crumble... we can win this war... [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by MikeEEEEE on November 28, 2001 at 19:35:10 PT Good Policy Everytime the wall breaks we move towards better drug policy. I welcome every piece falling until it completely collapes. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by mayan on November 28, 2001 at 17:58:00 PT Mandatory Patriotism The Illinois General Assembly might make the Pledge of Allegiance mandatory for all high school students: http://www.herald-review.com/current/Local_News/localnews7.phpWhen people have to be coerced to display patriotism, that says a lot about their country. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by FoM on November 28, 2001 at 17:55:10 PT troll420 I really would appreciate it if you would not direct your comments in a negative way to another poster. That just causes fights and they aren't appreciated here. Life's too complicated to waste in arguing. Thanks. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by Shishaldin on November 28, 2001 at 17:17:28 PT See you in SF on 12/4 mayan-I'll be there, rain or shine (looks like it'll be rain), at the DEA's San Francisco branch next Tuesday. We'll be "re-educating" DEA employees and the general public about the amazing nutritional properties of hemp, while pacifying their irrational fears of minute quantities of THC.I'd been looking into moving out of my current hi-tech position to one distributing hemp foods, and this latest maneuver by the DEA has me incensed. They've potentially blocked a successful business venture for me. Time for ACTION!I'll have my HIA (Hemp Industry Assoc.) hat on. Come by, say hi, and open some minds! http://www.votehemp.com/action.htmlHEMP FOR VICTORY!peace and strength, Shishaldin [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by troll420 on November 28, 2001 at 17:12:00 PT One Step Closer To Sanity I agree with Bruce42, Progress is progress. One step closer is better than no step at all. Now if we could just get the USA government to get with the program. This is an opinion, but I think that if the USA got with the program the rest of the world would be more likely to follow suit as they won't have the USA threatening to pull aid or assistants. Now as to Greenfox, where did you learn to grow? two plants will easily put off more than 1 oz., especially when grown outdoors. It all depends on the strain , growing conditions and the grower. I'd venture to guess your just not a very good grower or just basing your info. on someone elses lack of knowledge. TROLL420 [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by mayan on November 28, 2001 at 17:03:59 PT List Of Event Locations... Don't forget the Dec.4th day of action to protest the DEA's hemp food ban. Scroll to the bottom of this article for event locations. http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n000/a225.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by xxdr_zombiexx on November 28, 2001 at 16:55:51 PT uh.... What is fewer than 2?is it one?Just wondered [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by mayan on November 28, 2001 at 16:30:41 PT Another Crack... Yet another country has come to it's senses. This may not seem that signifigant but Australia has some pretty harsh laws. They have been debating this issue heavily down under for over a year & this really came as a pleasant surprise to me. Another crack in the dam... [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by bruce42 on November 28, 2001 at 14:36:55 PT true, but... At least SOMETHING is happening. Sometimes change happens one step at a time. However, your concern is justified gf- I hope the people aren't satisfied and continue to fight for legalization. Progress is progress. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by greenfox on November 28, 2001 at 10:44:47 PT two plants?!?! "The committee is due to report by March on penalties for infractions by people growing two cannabis plants or fewer for their own use"Folks let me tell you about yield on TWO plants- it would be less than an ounce unless the plants were grown huge. And furthermore, a 25g limit is a joke. -gf [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Ethan Russo MD on November 28, 2001 at 10:34:01 PT: The Last Domino The pattern of liberalization of cannabis laws around the world is now clear. With Western Europe leading the way, now Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and even Latin American countries are exploring progressive changes in the status quo that will help to end the War on Drugs.Amerika, in contrast, is entering one of the most repressive phases in its history. I fully expect us to be last in this movement, along with the likes of Saudi Arabia and Malaysia. Everyone deserves better. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment