QUESTIONS TO JOHN HOWARD

QUESTIONS TO JOHN HOWARD:

Recreational:

In regards to the personal use of cannabis, with the decriminalisation in effect in S.A., A.C.T. & N.T. and with the relaxation of laws relating to personal use of cannabis in Qld, Vic. N.S.W. & W.A. proceeding.

When will your government be introducing a realistic national drug policy with consideration given to the personal use, cultivation and purchase of small amounts of cannabis for personal use?

Do you understand the consequences of heroin being cheaper and more easily available than cannabis?

Do you think Major Brian Watters, Chair of your National Drug Advisory panel, is a fair representative of the Australian people, bearing in mind he wants to ban alcohol and tobacco?

Are you talking to the other side? i.e. the users.

Medicinal:

In March 1999 the United States Office of National Drug Control Policy recommended trials to be carried out to examine the efficacy and applications for medicinal cannabis. Moves for the trialing of medicinal cannabis are under way in many communities including Germany, Canada, Belgium, Luxembourg, Italy, Spain and France. The November, 1998 report by the House of Lords Scientific Committee recommended the trialing of cannabis for medicinal purposes and Licences for the growing of cannabis for research and medicinal purposes have since been granted. In Australia, the September 1999 report by the Australian Committee for Medical Cannabis mirrored these points, given the weight of medical & scientific evidence about medicinal cannabis.

Will your government act as new research in Australia and overseas comes to light so those Australians in most need of this therapeutic medicine can gain quick, quality product derivatives?

Legal access to Hemp:

Of recent, EU Distributors of Hemp Products have been scouting our markets and liaising with the Government Departments regarding the introduction of several EU approved food and fibre products here in Australia.

With the ever increasing success shown in the most recent Victoria and New South Wales trials and with a view to establishing a viable hemp based industry for fibre, food, building. What level of support will your Government be giving to this re-emerging industry?