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Australia: SA Government drops jail time for cannabis possession Adam Langenberg The Advertiser Friday 20 Jul 2018 Ms Chapman has ceded to community backlash and a lack of support from crossbench MPs, stripping jail terms from legislation that would elevate cannabis to the status of “other controlled drugs” such as ecstasy and heroin. It was agreed upon during a Cabinet meeting on Monday. The change of position, weeks after Ms Chapman revealed her tough-on-crime stance, has been condemned as a “humiliating backflip” by the Opposition. Ms Chapman said it was clear jailing people for cannabis possession was “not in line with the views of a significant portion of the community”. “When developing these changes, our intent was to align with the recommendations of the Deputy State Coroner in his inquest into the tragic death of Lewis McPherson, by increasing cannabis penalties to match other drugs,” she said. “However, based on the feedback we have received since these changes were introduced, it is clear that this is not in line with the views of a significant portion of the community. “We have listened to the community and our colleagues and are removing the proposed penalty of imprisonment for these simple cannabis offences.” “This Bill needs a swift passage through our Parliament to ensure the other key aspects are operational to be able to target high-end commercial producers and sellers, and organised crime syndicates.” The maximum fine for cannabis possession will still quadruple under the laws, from $500 to $2000. The tough stance on cannabis possession had been criticised by Law Society president Tim Mellor as lacking “evidence-based justification”. “The Bill, in our view, fails to sufficiently recognise that drug addiction is a health issue rather than a criminal justice issue,” he said in a submission to the Bill. “To ‘win the war on drugs’, the medical and social issues that underpin drug addiction must be addressed.” Opposition deputy leader Susan Close said it was clear Ms Chapman had been “rolled by her Cabinet in the face of public backlash”. “Now, after being forced into dropping the penalty of prison time for cannabis possession, Ms Chapman quietly announces it on a Friday afternoon,” Dr Close said, “Labor supports increasing penalties for drug trafficking and manufacturing, but facing jail time for a first time cannabis possession offence is disproportionate.” The legislation also beefs-up a range of other drug penalties. The aggravated penalties for bikies would in effect double their punishment for crimes including selling drug equipment, manufacture and possession. A bikie caught in the supply or administration of a controlled drug would face a $75,000 fine and 15 years’ jail. https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/sa-government-drops-jail-time-for-cannabis-possession/news-story/b66fe235675f997f288cbad1cb158a82
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