Cannaus
  • Home
  • State News
    • ACT
    • QLD
    • NSW
    • NT
    • SA
    • TAS
    • VIC
    • WA
  • Topics
    • Business
    • CBD
    • Government
    • Hemp
    • International
    • Legalisation
    • Medicinal Cannabis
    • Offences
    • Research
    • Misc
  • Cannabis Companies
No Result
View All Result
Cannaus

Western Australia plagued with “disgraceful Draconian laws”

3 years ago
in Western Australia
1
Cannabis in an envelope

Cannabis in an envelope

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

With two cannabis-focused MP’s in Western Australia’s parliament, you’d think the state would be the most progressive towards drugs. But that’s not necessarily the case.

Though many WA locals want drug law reform, the state is plagued by outdated laws that give WA police the right to seize property, money and possessions from people declared “traffickers.” 

The bar for trafficking is lower than you think. You can be declared a trafficker for being caught with 20 cannabis plants, 3 kilograms of cannabis (roughly $60,000 worth) or 28 grams of powdered drugs. 

Such was the case for a man from Camillo who grew 13 cannabis plants (only 5 of which were mature). Then, in November 2021, he lost his house to the state government after owning it for nearly thirty years.

But these laws also impact the families of the trafficker. 

According to the Criminal Property Confiscation Act 2000, the state can claim assets from police raids in the case of “unexplained wealth,” “criminal benefits,” “crime-derived property,” “crime-used property,” or if the person is declared a drug trafficker by the criteria listed above. 

A young family from Lake Clifton was recently impacted by this. They were forced to repurchase their home after it was seized when police discovered the husband’s cannabis crops. They had only 1,040 grams of cannabis.

WA is also plagued with an uncompromising approach to drug crimes that are driving up the prison population. WA’s imprisonment rate is the second-highest in Australia (behind the Northern Territory). WA imprisons 318.4 people per 100,000 — significantly more than the national average of 211 per 100,000. 

In the 2020-21 financial year, police handed out 25,910 drug charges, making it the third-highest type of offence (behind fraud and theft). 

Thankfully, change may come soon for WA. MP Dr Brian Walker, of Legalise Cannabis Western Australia (LCWA), introduced an amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act last year. Though the amendment has since been squashed, it would have given judges the discretion to avoid declaring someone a drug trafficker if “the person has not engaged in the trafficking of significant quantities of drugs for commercial reward.” 

Lawyers like Tom Percy are also fighting for change. Percy was partially behind the push to review the Criminal Property Confiscation Act (2000). He described the laws as “disgraceful Draconian laws” to WAToday and has urged the McGowan government to act. 

If you would like to help, get involved with LCWA, keep an eye on the “Inquiry into Cannabis and Hemp”, contact your local member, and vote carefully. 

Tags: GovernmentLegalisation
Share54Tweet34
Karie Cornell

Karie Cornell

Based in Victoria, Karie's passionate about pro-cannabis legislation in Australia. She joined Cannaus to share and bring awareness to the latest cannabis news across Australia.

Related Posts

Cannabis leaf with seeds
National

WA government classifies a cannabis seed the same as a fully-grown plant

January 13, 2022
Hemp field in Western Australia
Western Australia

Interested in growing hemp in WA? Attend a hemp farm field day in February

January 13, 2022
Small cannabis plant in a pot
Western Australia

“Only a matter of time” until WA legalises cannabis, says MP Sophia Moermond

January 6, 2022
Cannabis dripping oil
National

Will the government start making harmful things illegal? Sophia Moermond asks WA parliament

December 17, 2021
Hemp on a plate
Western Australia

WA plants seeds of growing industrial hemp industry with new trial

December 15, 2021
Holding a cannabis plant
Western Australia

Work begins on new Cannaponics medical cannabis facility in Collie, WA

November 18, 2021
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
guest
1 Comment
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Weekly Cannabis News

Get the latest Australian cannabis news straight to your inbox every week.

Enter your email address
  • Home
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

Disclaimer
Cannaus does not recommend that anyone uses cannabis for medical or adult use purposes unless consulted by a medical professional. Cannabis is a drug and may have negative side effects. Please consult with your doctor to find out if cannabis is right for you.

  • Home
  • State News
    • ACT
    • QLD
    • NSW
    • NT
    • SA
    • TAS
    • VIC
    • WA
  • Topics
    • Business
    • CBD
    • Government
    • Hemp
    • International
    • Legalisation
    • Medicinal Cannabis
    • Offences
    • Research
    • Misc
  • Cannabis Companies
No Result
View All Result
Weekly Cannabis News

Get the latest Australian cannabis news straight to your inbox every week.

Enter your email address

Thanks, I’m not interested

wpDiscuz