cannabisnews.com: Dope Smoking To Be Decriminalised Dope Smoking To Be Decriminalised Posted by FoM on November 01, 1999 at 19:38:14 PT By Mary-Anne Toy, Health Editor Source: The Age The Health Minister, Mr John Thwaites, said yesterday the Government would decriminalise marijuana for personal use in small quantities. However, safe injecting houses and primary care facilities for drug users would be the Government's priority. "Our policy that we took to the election supports decriminalisation. However, it is not part of our priorities for immediate implementation," Mr Thwaites said."We believe because of deaths from heroin overdose that the Government has to address that first."The Labor's drug policy has a strong harm minimisation and prevention focus. It comprises measures to prevent drug abuse at schools, preventing deaths from overdose including safe injecting trial, emphasising treatment and rehabilitation for users including decriminalising use and possession of small amounts of marijuana and improved policing of the drug trade.The policy would also ban the smoking of marijuana in public, which would be subject to a fine of up to $100.The announcement was welcomed by Professor David Penington, who headed the Kennett Government's Drug Advisory Council, which recommended decriminalisation of marijuana.A spokesman for Victoria Police said yesterday drugs policy was a decision for the State Government and the police's role was to enforce the law, whatever it was.Tuesday 2 November 1999 Related Article:Most Australians Want Marijuana Decriminalised - 11/01/99http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v99/n1183/a12.html?397 Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #5 posted by bonnie on April 22, 2001 at 06:54:28 PT: oh no this policy is not good! weed should be legalized! [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Wabo on November 02, 1999 at 14:42:03 PT 21st Century The rest of the world is moving into a future of enlightenment and tolerance while the USA bitterly downs another beer and then takes out it's frustration by beating it's collective wife. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by FoM on November 02, 1999 at 11:05:47 PT: Scots Tory in Cannabis Call Scots Tory in Cannabis Call UK: ScotlandTuesday, November 2, 1999 Published at 17:22 GMT The Scottish Conservatives' leader David McLetchie has supported the use of cannabis in medicine. He said he believed doctors should be able to prescribe the drug for patients. Mr McLetchie, whose nursed his first wife when she was dying of cancer, said he believed the drug could be used like morphine for pain relief for those suffering terminal illnesses. Click the link to read the complete article:http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/scotland/newsid_503000/503156.stm [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by observer on November 02, 1999 at 10:06:43 PT 'DOPE' SMOKING, 'DOPE' USE The editors of The Age and The Canberra Times wouldn't be trying to transfer negative connotations of the word "DOPE" into their headlines, would they? Sour grapes for prohibitionist editors? DOPE SMOKING TO BE DECRIMINALISED (The Age) MAJORITY SUPPORT PERSONAL 'DOPE' USE (Canberra Times) http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v99/n1186/a11.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Rainbow on November 02, 1999 at 06:32:52 PT: Is this really happenning? Am I seeing some responsibile decision makers? How can it be that the DEALand has lost this battle to practicality?Wow, maybe Washington and Oregon states will be next.Wonder where good ole barry is today :-)Rainbow [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: