NEW drug laws will allow children to carry twice as much cannabis as adults without fear of conviction.The laws, which come into effect next month, allow minors - those aged less than 18 years - to escape with a police caution if they are caught with up to 30 grams of cannabis - the equivalent of 30 marijuana joints - for personal use. But adults will only be able to carry 15 grams under the caution system. Adults caught by police carrying more than 15 grams, and children carrying more than 30 grams, will be charged with possession and face the courts. [continues 571 words]
PREMIER Jim Bacon's promise to avoid indulging his nicotine habit in public has gone up in smoke. The promise was shattered when he was seen smoking on the footpath outside the Theatre Royal on Thursday night during the Uni Revue's interval. In October, Mr Bacon vowed to never smoke in public again after a blast from a lung doctor for hampering the anti-tobacco fight. Mr Bacon would not make himself available to comment on his lapse yesterday despite The Mercury following him to two public engagements. Opposition health spokesman Frank Madill said Mr Bacon's actions had set a poor example for young people. [continues 101 words]
ONLY a third of Tasmanians believe marijuana should be legalised - the second lowest level of support in the country. A national Morgan Poll released yesterday showed 33% of its 653 Tasmanian respondents backed legalising pot and 60% believed it should remain illegal. The only state more opposed to legalisation was New South Wales, where 30% supported it and 61% were opposed. Attorney-General Peter Patmore said Tasmania's no vote to legalisation could not be interpreted as a vote against a State Government proposal for decriminalisation. [continues 208 words]
