❓ A parliamentary question regarding the government's approach to cannabis use among young people and its potential impact on mental health issues. The Minister defends the government's focus on education while maintaining the illegality of cannabis.
AnsweredQoN 720Legislative Assembly
Asked
15 May 2003
Member
Portfolio
Community Development, Women’s Interests, Seniors and Youth
QuestionView source ↗
As a supplementary question, does the minister intend to tell the parents of teenage suicide victims, paranoid schizophrenics, cannabis addicts, depression sufferers and mental patients that her Government’s decision to normalise cannabis use among young people is good social policy? Ms S.M. McHALE
AnswerView source ↗
It is a tragedy that some young people in our community have schizophrenia and mental illnesses. The reality is that those people are present in our community regardless of this legislation. That is the reality with which members opposite cannot grapple. This is a long-term problem. The research does not make a causal link. That question is still under active consideration. I say to parents that we are keeping the framework that cannabis is unlawful, but that within that environment there is a greater focus on education and being able to explain to young people - Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Ms S.M. McHALE: It is very clear that the Leader of the Opposition does not want to engage in a discussion. We say to those parents that education about the potential harm of cannabis is the real focus, because kids are doing it anyway.
Ms S.M. McHALE replied: It is a tragedy that some young people in our community have schizophrenia and mental illnesses. The reality is that those people are present in our community regardless of this legislation. That is the reality with which members opposite cannot grapple. This is a long-term problem. The research does not make a causal link. That question is still under active consideration. I say to parents that we are keeping the framework that cannabis is unlawful, but that within that environment there is a greater focus on education and being able to explain to young people - Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Ms S.M. McHALE: It is very clear that the Leader of the Opposition does not want to engage in a discussion. We say to those parents that education about the potential harm of cannabis is the real focus, because kids are doing it anyway.
It is a tragedy that some young people in our community have schizophrenia and mental illnesses. The reality is that those people are present in our community regardless of this legislation. That is the reality with which members opposite cannot grapple. This is a long-term problem. The research does not make a causal link. That question is still under active consideration. I say to parents that we are keeping the framework that cannabis is unlawful, but that within that environment there is a greater focus on education and being able to explain to young people - Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Ms S.M. McHALE: It is very clear that the Leader of the Opposition does not want to engage in a discussion. We say to those parents that education about the potential harm of cannabis is the real focus, because kids are doing it anyway.
Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Ms S.M. McHALE: It is very clear that the Leader of the Opposition does not want to engage in a discussion. We say to those parents that education about the potential harm of cannabis is the real focus, because kids are doing it anyway.
The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Ms S.M. McHALE: It is very clear that the Leader of the Opposition does not want to engage in a discussion. We say to those parents that education about the potential harm of cannabis is the real focus, because kids are doing it anyway.
Ms S.M. McHALE: It is very clear that the Leader of the Opposition does not want to engage in a discussion. We say to those parents that education about the potential harm of cannabis is the real focus, because kids are doing it anyway.
Ms S.M. McHALE replied: It is a tragedy that some young people in our community have schizophrenia and mental illnesses. The reality is that those people are present in our community regardless of this legislation. That is the reality with which members opposite cannot grapple. This is a long-term problem. The research does not make a causal link. That question is still under active consideration. I say to parents that we are keeping the framework that cannabis is unlawful, but that within that environment there is a greater focus on education and being able to explain to young people - Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Ms S.M. McHALE: It is very clear that the Leader of the Opposition does not want to engage in a discussion. We say to those parents that education about the potential harm of cannabis is the real focus, because kids are doing it anyway.
It is a tragedy that some young people in our community have schizophrenia and mental illnesses. The reality is that those people are present in our community regardless of this legislation. That is the reality with which members opposite cannot grapple. This is a long-term problem. The research does not make a causal link. That question is still under active consideration. I say to parents that we are keeping the framework that cannabis is unlawful, but that within that environment there is a greater focus on education and being able to explain to young people - Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Ms S.M. McHALE: It is very clear that the Leader of the Opposition does not want to engage in a discussion. We say to those parents that education about the potential harm of cannabis is the real focus, because kids are doing it anyway.
Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Ms S.M. McHALE: It is very clear that the Leader of the Opposition does not want to engage in a discussion. We say to those parents that education about the potential harm of cannabis is the real focus, because kids are doing it anyway.
The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Ms S.M. McHALE: It is very clear that the Leader of the Opposition does not want to engage in a discussion. We say to those parents that education about the potential harm of cannabis is the real focus, because kids are doing it anyway.
Ms S.M. McHALE: It is very clear that the Leader of the Opposition does not want to engage in a discussion. We say to those parents that education about the potential harm of cannabis is the real focus, because kids are doing it anyway.
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