Now a public concern (victimless) crime

From Les McDonald to all MLC Paliament Victoria 4th May 2010

Subject: Now a public concern (victimless) Crime

To: gavin.jennings@parliament.vic.gov.au
Cc: greg.barber@parliament.vic.gov.au, candy.broad@parliament.vic.gov.au, andrea.coote@parliament.vic.gov.au, richard.dalla-riva@parliament.vic.gov.au, kaye.darveniza@parliament.vic.gov.au, david.davis@parliament.vic.gov.au, philip.davis@parliament.vic.gov.au, damian.drum@parliament.vic.gov.au, khalil.eideh@parliament.vic.gov.au, nazih.elasmar@parliament.vic.gov.au, bernie.finn@parliament.vic.gov.au, matthew.guy@parliament.vic.gov.au, peter.hall@parliament.vic.gov.au, colleen.hartland@parliament.vic.gov.au, jennifer.huppert@parliament.vic.gov.au, peter.kavanagh@parliament.vic.gov.au, david.koch@parliament.vic.gov.au, jan.kronberg@parliament.vic.gov.au, shaun.leane@parliament.vic.gov.au, john.lenders@parliament.vic.gov.au, wendy.lovell@parliament.vic.gov.au, justin.madden@parliament.vic.gov.au, jenny.mikakos@parliament.vic.gov.au, nathan.murphy@parliament.vic.gov.au, ward.o'donohue@parliament.vic.gov.au, donna.petrovich@parliament.vic.gov.au, inga.peulich@parliament.vic.gov.au, jaala.pulford@parliament.vic.gov.au, gordon.rich-phillips@parliament.vic.gov.au, johan.scheffer@parliament.vic.gov.au, robert.smith@parliament.vic.gov.au, adem.somyurek@parliament.vic.gov.au, brian.tee@parliament.vic.gov.au, gayle.tierney@parliament.vic.gov.au, matthew.viney@parliament.vic.gov.au, john.vogels@parliament.vic.gov.au
Received: Tuesday, 4 May, 2010, 12:05 PM



As a member of our Parliament, with the best interest of all Victorians at the forefront, I ask you to consider the following with an open and clear mind.

1982 The John Cain (Labour) Government placed Cannabis under the Drugs Poisons and Substance Act, now classed as a narcotic plant, However. the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, report National Drug Strategy Monograph Series.Part 4.1 "cannabis has been erroneously classified as a narcotic.."

At this point time the Victorian Parliament was largely dominated by members of private professional Club, that had sworn an oath unto them selves, the Legal profession, which left open to question a conflict of interest, concerning Public Health and solicitor wealth .

As to curb the public unrest. 1995 the Jeff Kennett Government formed The Primers Drug Advisory Council. and on the 31st May 1996 Chairman, Professor David Pennington presented the report to Parliament, which recommended (7.1) That possession less then 30 gram of cannabis and " Cultivation of up to five cannabis plants per household for personal use should no longer be an offence" As this would have caused a financial loss to the legal profession, Subsequently Parliament, rejected part 7.1 to 7.5 of the report.

1997 The Government announced the allocation of more then $59 million of the $100 million four year "Turning the Tide strategy" Victorian Police statistics showed on that around 10,000 Victorian citizen are charged with cannabis related charges each year, based on current arrest rate. between 1996 -2006 150, 000 Victorians were convicted for cannabis related offences. It estimated, by election time 2010, total offence concerning cannabis will pass 201,000 since labour was elected to Govern Victoria..

It is of interest to note " In one year alone (1996) Legal Aid spent $14 million on legal representation defending cannabis consumers that pleaded guilty" It appears that the Legal profession are the only real winners out of cannabis prohibition, which has caused an unnecessary burden on the people of Victoria

If we consider the many thousand of responsible citizens that are dragged before the criminal courts each year, (for a victimless crime) and now have a criminal record for the rest of their life, as you will be aware cannabis consumption is wide spread thru-out our today's society, Businesses people, trade, and. profession people, However, you may not be aware that there is no record of a lethal overdoes of cannabis recorded in humans world wide.

Consider the amount of Victorians that use cannabis on a regular bases, (as under 9%appeared before the Court) and then ponder over Professor David Pennington (1996) recommendation. It appears quite obvious to many, that thousands Victorians would not appear before the criminal justice system, saving court cost, also the high cost of legal Aid in Victoria. We don’t need to make convict s out of good, responsible people that prefer to use cannabis.

I find it very disturbing the advise recently received, "That the Parliament of Victoria as no proper Act, that requires the Parliament to make laws for peace, order, and good Government for the people of Victoria. If this advise I received is in fact correct, must give reason to question if " the power to protect the people of Victoria is now to far removed from the peoples elected Parliament of Victoria" Surely, Accountability needs to be understood..

The greatest harm to consumers of cannabis is current law, and not feeling safe in their own home’s in Victoria. The are subject of their front doors being smashed down, (5am) the children terrified, by the armed police, parents forced to lay naked, on the floor, order to roll over put your legs apart, to be observed all the members of the raiding party, No doubt in search of cannabis. yes Victimless Crime.

With due respect, The passing of time has revealed that cannabis prohibition has not worked in the best interest of the public of Victoria, it has caused a division amougts the people, and created an unnecessary and future burden on the people of Victoria.

We feel it would be far better for all concerned Victorian, If you could consider, and if you see fit to do so, recommend to Parliament to issue yearly permits to registered consumers of cannabis, permitting them to comply with the recommendation 7.1 to 7.5 of the Professor David Pennington report to Parliament. 1996.

Change of registration-permits annual fee of $100.00 plus GST. Cost of cannabis reduced as many consumers of cannabis could make a beverage or add the herb cannabis as food supplements this removing the health risk of smoking cannabis.

Every person has the rights to feel safe in the state of Victoria in their home, the right to chose between good and bad, alcohol is the mayor cause of family violence in today's society. There must be a solution an alternative.

I thank you for your time and Patience It would be greatly appreciate to be informed of your future intention or opinion on any the issues raised

Yours faithfully
Les McDonald
Bebuybac
The Concerned Australians
Email (bebuybac@yahoo.com.au)

Ps. The Australian Government reports state that 55,OOO canabiss offence occure evey year national. If so many people are breaking the Law some thing must be wrong with the Law

Your personal comments would assit, for what is good or what is bad?

are Laws for peace order and good government? thinking of the future.