❓ Dr. Walker raises concerns about WA police confiscating legally prescribed medicinal cannabis. The Minister confirms training and guidance exist but the manual won't be released due to operational sensitivities.
AnsweredQoN 190Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Police—Medical cannabis190.Hon Dr Brian Walkerto theminister representing the Minister for Police:Having been
approached by a number of constituents in recent months who report having had their
legally prescribed medicinal cannabis confiscated by WA police, I ask the minister
the following.(1) Have WA police officers been provided with, or
do they have access to, any formal guidance as to how and when it may be
appropriate for them to confiscate medicinal cannabis from patients?(2) If yes to (1), will the minister table that
guidance?(3) If no to (1), will the minister consider the
need for such guidance to better ensure that patients are not unnecessarily
discriminated against unless it is wholly unavoidable?(4) If no to both (1) and (3), why not?
approached by a number of constituents in recent months who report having had their
legally prescribed medicinal cannabis confiscated by WA police, I ask the minister
the following.(1) Have WA police officers been provided with, or
do they have access to, any formal guidance as to how and when it may be
appropriate for them to confiscate medicinal cannabis from patients?(2) If yes to (1), will the minister table that
guidance?(3) If no to (1), will the minister consider the
need for such guidance to better ensure that patients are not unnecessarily
discriminated against unless it is wholly unavoidable?(4) If no to both (1) and (3), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
21 May 2025
Response time
0 days
Hon Matthew Swinbourn replied:I thank the member
for some notice of the question. The Minister for Police has provided me with
the following answer.(1) Yes.(2) The Western Australia Police Academy foundation
training unit delivers face-to-face training designed to assist officers in
appropriately addressing genuine patient use of medicinal cannabis while
performing their duties, as part of the one-dayMisuse
of Drugs Act 1981content. The police manual relating to medicinal
cannabis contains a section with details and guidance for officers on the
procedures and considerations. Application is specific to the investigating
officer and their supervisor in consideration of lawful prosecutions. Due to
operational sensitivities, the police manual will not be released.(3)–(4) Not applicable.
Police—Medical cannabis
for some notice of the question. The Minister for Police has provided me with
the following answer.(1) Yes.(2) The Western Australia Police Academy foundation
training unit delivers face-to-face training designed to assist officers in
appropriately addressing genuine patient use of medicinal cannabis while
performing their duties, as part of the one-dayMisuse
of Drugs Act 1981content. The police manual relating to medicinal
cannabis contains a section with details and guidance for officers on the
procedures and considerations. Application is specific to the investigating
officer and their supervisor in consideration of lawful prosecutions. Due to
operational sensitivities, the police manual will not be released.(3)–(4) Not applicable.
Police—Medical cannabis
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