Possession of cannabis in South Australia would now attract tough penalties under new laws to be reviewed in legislation this week.
Attorney-General Vickie Chapman suggested that people were taking advantage of the drug diversion program which was too lenient. The proposed legislation would classify cannabis under the same status of “other controlled drugs” such as heroin.
“It also highlighted for us that it was utterly absurd that the possession of marijuana should have a penalty regime consistent with someone who jaywalks.”
“That was unacceptable to us,”said Chapman on Monday.
While it continues to allow cannabis users to seek medical treatment twice during within four years before facing criminal sanctions, harsher penalties and prison sentences are to be introduced under The South Australian government’s plan.
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Source: ABC
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