The Premier NSW 13/02/06

The Premier, NSW
The Hon.Morris Iemma
Level 40 Governor Macquarie Tower
1 Farrer Place NSW 2000 13th February 2006

Dear Premier,

Re: Toughen cannabis laws

I write to bring to your attention to a letter/ fax we received from Mr. T. Darmenia of Lakemba, NSW, concerning the "ABC News Online" 03/02/2006. For you convenience and consideration, please find enclosed herewith a copy of such. Which states firstly:-

"New South Wales could soon have the harshest cannabis laws in the country, the State Government is rewriting the laws to increase penalties for possession and cultivation"

As it may of some interest and enlightenment, We offer the following, in brief form.

Three quarters of the way through the last century, the media raised the issue, that many high school and universities students were using "pot" cannabis. Parents, adults consumers of cannabis maintained that alcohol was far more dangerous and damaging to the Australian society, to themselfes and their children, then cannabis would ever be. Declaring that there has never been lethal overdoes of cannabis recorded world wide. This heralding the great Drug Debat.

In the early eighties, the state Governments had implemented laws, extremely harsh penalties applied for the possession, sales and cultivation of cannabis. In the attempt to curtail the ever growing public use of cannabis. As you will be well aware, cannabis consumption is still on the increase the year 2006.

Well meaning and well funded organisation, opposed to ending cannabis prohibition, relied on the USA for much of their research in to marijuana, "Reefer Madness" a documentary, shown and repeated several times on TV. others claim that cannabis use leads to Heroin use, which over the years has been proven to be no more then total myth. In fairness to all, based on our own research it warrants mention.

[The generations of cannabis users. "John" at that time absorbed much of the Governments warnings about the dangers of cannabis use, John's own experience suggested that the government may have got it wrong. Heroin was now starting to find it place in the Australian drug market. John believing that the Government mislead him over cannabis use, ignored the governments warnings on the effects of hard drugs, the dangers of heroin use, John now addicted to heroin, or is he dead?] Who's at fault?

Prohibition has created an unnecessary mental health risk to many Australians, as organic grown cannabis is now only a small part of the commercial market. 1990 hydroponicly grown chemically enhanced ( nitrogen ) adulterated cannabis holds the major share of the market. Many mature cannabis users complained that the hydro grown cannabis, made them feel quite ill the next morning, others maintained hydroponicly grown cannabis caused a form of psychosis, The prevailing generation of cannabis consumers know no little difference between the two, as organic cannabis is now a thing of the past. Who's responsible

New South Wales and the Victorian Governments are concerned about the health and welfare of the people they represent, the high rising cost of cannabis prohibition, We feel sharing of information and research into drugs would benefit both governments, I am sure both governments would agree. Therefor we also offer the following for consideration.

1995 The Jeff Kennett Government, implemented ways to tackle the problem of drug abuse in our community, forming of the Premier's Drug Advisory Council, Chairman, Professor David Penington, presented its report "Drugs and Our Community" to the Government in March 1996.

31st May 1996, As both houses of the Victorian Parliament assembled, an historic moment itself, to note the reports of the Premier's Drug Advisory Council, The Government and Opposition accepted the broad thrust of the report. Subsequently, it was not passed in full, only after recommendations 7.1 to 7.5 had been deleted that it gained support.

We need not illustrate the public unrest when hundreds of thousands of cannabis consumers in Victoria (we assume higher in NSW) learnt the most impotent recommendations had been deleted being;-

7.1 Use and possession of small amounts of marijuana should no longer be an offence. "small quantity" should be defined as no more then 25 grams (half the amount currently specified in the ACT )
7.2 Cultivation of up to five cannabis plants per household for personal use should no longer be an offence.
7.3 Sale of Marijuana should remain an offence. Sale of small quantities by an adult to an adult should incur a caution delivered by Victorian Police for a first offence with an adjourned bond the preferred penalty for a second offence. maximum penalties for sale to young people should be maintained at present levels; up to 25 years gaol and a $250,000 fine for quantities above 100 Kilos and up to 15 years and/or a $100.000 fine for amounts between 25 grams and 100 kilos.
7.4 Legislation of Summary Offences Act 1966 should be reviewed to ensure offensive behaviour under the influence of marijuana can be dealt with by police. Similarly, local government should establish by-laws that restrict consumption in public places.
7.5. Legislation should be introduced to expunge all recorded convictions for possession of and use of small quantities of marijuana

We point out the above recommendations 7.2 is the current legislation requirements for residence living in the ACT, designed to reduce the large scale cultivation of cannabis, to curtail the profits of the so called Mr .Bigs, in the cannabis trade, and as to lift the unnecessary burden on the people of the ACT.

As you are responsible for all Ministers of the NSW Government. We humbly ask on behalf of our member Mr. T. Darmenia, if you could bring to the attention of NSW Parliament, the urgent need to review and consider the ACT current legislation concerning cannabis, and recommend to Parliament to adopting similar legislation for the people of NSW .

Yours sincerely,
Les McDonald