The

13th

MardiGrass!

Nimbin MardiGrass

Saturday 30th of April, Sunday 1st of May
2005

Cannabis Law Reform Rally

E-mail Nimbin MardiGrass




The

13th

MardiGrass!


MARDIGRASS - MARDIGRASS 2005 - ORIGINS - PAST YEARS - PROGRAM '05
Accommodation, Places to stay..
Hempen Images - Cannabis World News - Hemp History - nimbin HEMP embassy

Updated: Sunday, April 24, 2005 0:48 AM


 

Just Say Know!Legal Information


Pot & The Law

 


Under NSW law, it is an offence to possess, use, supply, or cultivate pot. It is also an offence to possess implements for the use of pot.

 


Possession


Possession requires proof of knowledge and custody or control. In other words, proof that:
you had the pot in your physical custody (for example, in your pocket or bag), or at least under your control, exercising a right to exclude others from possession.
and
you that knew that you had the pot in your custody or control.

 


Supply


Supply includes selling, giving away or (technically) sharing pot.


Supply also includes possession of 300 grams or more of cannabis, which is “deemed” to be for supply. In that case, you must prove in court that the possession was for reasons other than supply (for example, personal use).

 


Cultivation


Cultivation means some activity to assist the growing or harvesting of cannabis, such as planting or watering or fertilising. Even growing one seedling is an offence.

 


Cookies


Possessing or supplying cannabis cookies or other food with cannabis cooked in is illegal. Bizarrely, the drug law strictly treats cookies as if they were pure cannabis. So, because weight determines the nature of the criminal charge, you can be charged with deemed supply if you possess more than 300 grams of cookies, even though you are mostly possessing chocolate and flour and butter. In these situations, the police can and often would charge you only with possession.

 


If you are arrested


You do not have to answer police questions or make a statement, even after you are arrested. Just give your name and address so that bail can be granted.


Remember that the police must prove your guilt - anything you say may make it easier for them to do just that. Generally it is better to say nothing until you have had legal advice.

 


Police cautions


The police have the power to issue cautions (rather than take you to court) where the amount of pot involved is 15 grams or less, and where you have no prior convictions, you and you are not charged with another offence, and you admit guilt. If you are cautioned twice, you must attend compulsory drug counselling. On the third occasion, the case must go to court.

 


Search warrants


Police are legally entitled to enter private property if they are invited in by one of the occupiers or if they have a search warrant.


A search warrant gives police the power to search anybody found on the premises, to use reasonable force to break open doors and cupboards, and to seize and remove any illegal items discovered.

 


Personal searches


The police have the power to search you in a public place, without a warrant, if the police believe on reasonable grounds that you might possess a prohibited drug (or a knife, or evidence of a crime).

 


Random Roadside Testing


The police do not yet have the power to conduct randomly drug test car and truck drivers.

 


Sniffer dogs


It is legal for police to use sniffer dogs.


There is legislation which authorises police use of dogs for “drug detection” in some places (on trains and buses, and on or near railway stations and bus terminals, in licensed premises, at dance parties and music festivals) without a warrant.


The same legislation requires the police to obtain a warrant to use sniffer dogs in other situations, for example for random street searches. The police would routinely obtain a warrant to use sniffer dogs on “high visibility” street patrols such as the what they call “Operation Vikings”.


The courts have also ruled that the action of a police dog sniffing the air does not amount to searching.

 


Penalties

The quantity of drugs involved determines both the maximum penalty for the offence, and whether the case is heard in the Local Court or the District Court.

The maximum penalty for use or possession is a fine of $2,200 and/or 2 years jail.

The maximum penalty for supply or cultivation depends on the quantity involved. As an example, the maximum penalty for the supply of 400 grams would be a fine of $11,000 and/or 2 years jail. The maximum penalty for cultivating 300 plants would be a fine of $385,000 and/or 15 years jail.

These are maximum penalties - the actual penalty imposed will usually be considerably less, especially for a first offender.

For people with little or no criminal record, the most common penalty for possession of small amounts is a fine of several hundred dollars. For cultivation of a few plants, fine or a good behaviour bond. If you have more of a record, or if larger quantities are involved, you can of course expect higher penalties.

 

TAKE CARE



PEACE - POT FOR PEACE, PEACE FOR POT
MARDIGRASS - MARDIGRASS 2005 - ORIGINS - PAST YEARS - PROGRAM '05
Hempen Images - Cannabis World News - Hemp History
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
If you can help contact
Nimbin HEMP Embassy
ph: (02) 6689 1842
email: Nimbin HEMP Embassy
Nimbin Mardi Grass
https://nimbinmardigrass.com/archives-history/2022/archives-history/2022/
Copyright � 2005 Nimbin HEMP Embassy