Opposition questions the Health Minister about potential negative consequences of the government's cannabis policy, particularly regarding alternative income sources for former cannabis sellers and potential shift to harder drugs.

AnsweredQoN 364Legislative Council
Asked
13 December 2001
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to your announcement as the directions that you have given to the police in order to give effect to the Government’s cannabis policy -
(1) Prior to introducing this policy did you consider whether there were any possible negative outcomes arising from it?
(2) Prior to introducing this policy, did you or any person on your behalf make any enquiries of the Premier or Government of South Australia as to possible negative outcomes from permitting people to grow cannabis plants?
(3) Have you made any predictions as to what those persons who used to earn a living by growing and selling cannabis plants (especially in small quantities) will now do to secure an income?
(4) Do you have any concerns that the people referred to in (3) will now resort to selling other drugs, such as ecstasy and amphetamines?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
28 February 2002
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Health
Response time
77 days
1.
It is considered that the positive outcomes would outweigh any negative outcomes, if any, actual or perceived.
2.
Members of the Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform (MWPDLR) recently visited South Australia and the ACT in order to assess the experience of these jurisdictions.
3.
No.
4.
No, however some of these persons may already be poly drug suppliers.

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