❓ Dr. Brian Walker questions the government's stance on cannabis decriminalisation, referencing the ACT's legalisation and the WA Labor Party's previous policy. The government states it does not support decriminalisation.
AnsweredQoN 135Legislative Council
Asked
25 May 2021
Member
Portfolio
parliamentary secretary representing the Attorney General
QuestionView source ↗
CANNABIS — LEGALISATION
135. Hon
Dr BRIAN WALKER to the parliamentary secretary representing the Attorney
General:
I note that it is now more than 12
months since the Labor–Green coalition in the ACT effectively legalised
the possession of small amounts of cannabis for personal, recreational use. I also
note the WA state Labor Party's longstanding, and entirely laudable,
commitment to a return to the decriminalisation measures introduced in the
Cannabis Control Act 2003 by the Gallop government, and revoked under the
Barnett Liberal administration.
Is
the McGowan government willing to work alongside pro-cannabis parties in this
place to, at the very least, realise its
own state party policy, if not to follow the example of its progressive
colleagues in the ACT; and if not, why not?
135. Hon
Dr BRIAN WALKER to the parliamentary secretary representing the Attorney
General:
I note that it is now more than 12
months since the Labor–Green coalition in the ACT effectively legalised
the possession of small amounts of cannabis for personal, recreational use. I also
note the WA state Labor Party's longstanding, and entirely laudable,
commitment to a return to the decriminalisation measures introduced in the
Cannabis Control Act 2003 by the Gallop government, and revoked under the
Barnett Liberal administration.
Is
the McGowan government willing to work alongside pro-cannabis parties in this
place to, at the very least, realise its
own state party policy, if not to follow the example of its progressive
colleagues in the ACT; and if not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
I
thank the member for some notice of the question and note that this is his
first question in the house; congratulations on reaching that early
milestone.
The
Misuse of Drugs Act, which is the legislation that includes offences relating
to prohibited drugs and plants, is within the portfolio responsibility
of the Minister for Police. However, I can advise on this occasion that the
government does not support the decriminalisation of cannabis.
thank the member for some notice of the question and note that this is his
first question in the house; congratulations on reaching that early
milestone.
The
Misuse of Drugs Act, which is the legislation that includes offences relating
to prohibited drugs and plants, is within the portfolio responsibility
of the Minister for Police. However, I can advise on this occasion that the
government does not support the decriminalisation of cannabis.
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