❓ Dr. Walker asks about the legal distinction between natural and synthetic cannabis, and the government's plans to address the synthetic drug market. The Minister responds that the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981 addresses synthetic cannabinoids with higher penalties than natural cannabis.
AnsweredQoN 1167Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
CANNABIS — SYNTHETIC
1167. Hon Dr BRIAN WALKER to the minister representing the
Minister for Police:
I refer the minister to recent
studies, including one from academics at Georg-August university in Germany,
that conclude that exposure to synthetic cannabinoids can be more harmful to
the brain than naturally occurring ones.
(1) Does the Criminal Code currently
distinguish between natural and synthetic cannabis?
(2) If yes to (1), in what ways do
current laws here in Western Australia distinguish between the two?
(3) If no to (1), why not?
(4) Does the Cook government have any plans to crack
down on the synthetic, as opposed to the natural, drug market?
1167. Hon Dr BRIAN WALKER to the minister representing the
Minister for Police:
I refer the minister to recent
studies, including one from academics at Georg-August university in Germany,
that conclude that exposure to synthetic cannabinoids can be more harmful to
the brain than naturally occurring ones.
(1) Does the Criminal Code currently
distinguish between natural and synthetic cannabis?
(2) If yes to (1), in what ways do
current laws here in Western Australia distinguish between the two?
(3) If no to (1), why not?
(4) Does the Cook government have any plans to crack
down on the synthetic, as opposed to the natural, drug market?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. The following information has been provided to me
by the Minister for Police.
(1)–(4) The
Western Australia Police Force advises that the Criminal Code is not the
relevant act that deals with the criminalisation of synthetic cannabinoids.
These substances are dealt with under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981. There are
many synthetic cannabinoids listed in the schedules to the Misuse of Drugs Act
1981 that determine court of trial,
presumptive amounts for selling and supplying and drug trafficker declarations .
The maximum penalties for major offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981
that involve synthetic cannabinoids are higher than those that apply for
offences involving cannabis.
some notice of the question. The following information has been provided to me
by the Minister for Police.
(1)–(4) The
Western Australia Police Force advises that the Criminal Code is not the
relevant act that deals with the criminalisation of synthetic cannabinoids.
These substances are dealt with under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981. There are
many synthetic cannabinoids listed in the schedules to the Misuse of Drugs Act
1981 that determine court of trial,
presumptive amounts for selling and supplying and drug trafficker declarations .
The maximum penalties for major offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981
that involve synthetic cannabinoids are higher than those that apply for
offences involving cannabis.
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