CANNABIS would be sold legally in post offices in packets that warn against its effects under a proposal outlined by the head of a Sydney drug and alcohol clinic. The director of the alcohol and drug service at St Vincent's Hospital, Alex Wodak, said Australia needed to learn from the tobacco industry and the US Prohibition era in coming to terms with his belief that cannabis use would replace cigarette consumption over the next decade. "The general principal is that it's not sustainable that we continue to give criminals and corrupt police a monopoly to sell a drug that is soon going to be consumed by more people than tobacco," he said. "I don't want to see that [industry] fall into the hands of tobacco companies or rapacious businessmen. "I'd like to see it fall into the hands of the failed business people Australia seems so good at producing or the Australia Post that seems so successful in driving away customers." He made the proposal for taxed and legalised cannabis at the Mardi Grass festival in Nimbin on Sunday, but said he would be happy to express his opinion to the Federal Government. A spokesman for the Minister for Health, Nicola Roxon, said the proposal would not be considered. Experts in the fields of drug and law enforcement yesterday opposed the suggestion, saying there was insufficient evidence that legalisation would not increase harmful use or lead to other law enforcement issues. "It's really going beyond the evidence to say regulatory control would effectively reduce adverse effects," said a deputy director of the National Drug Research Institute, Simon Lenton. "We don't know what the effects would be." Dr Wodak believed his idea could reduce cannabis consumption, based on comparisons between consumption in Amsterdam and San Francisco. He said regulated availability would also reduce people's exposure to other illicit drugs when buying the product. His model would make cannabis advertising illegal, ban political donations from the cannabis industry, and demand proof of age on purchase. He chose Australia Post for distribution as it could be regulated and had branches across the country. "What I'm talking about is not pro-cannabis … it's about reducing cannabis harm."
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/sell-cannabis-at-the-post-office/2008/05/05/1209839554211.html
It'll be a lot more fun. No more meeting dealers in back alleys, looking over your shoulder to see if a cop is watching, then quickly exchanging some cash for a bag of goods. No more more stressing out about sniffer dogs when you're on a train, walking down the street, or at the pub.
It's not fun being treated as criminal for simply wanting to use your drug of choice.
You young people of today are just not rebellious enough. All those things were considered badges of honour in my day! Why does anyone buy it when they can grow it?
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Re: Legalised cannabis and post offices
CANNABIS would be sold legally in post offices in packets that warn against its effects under a proposal outlined by the head of a Sydney drug and alcohol clinic. The director of the alcohol and drug service at St Vincent's Hospital, Alex Wodak, said Australia needed to learn from the tobacco industry and the US Prohibition era in coming to terms with his belief that cannabis use would replace cigarette consumption over the next decade. "The general principal is that it's not sustainable that we continue to give criminals and corrupt police a monopoly to sell a drug that is soon going to be consumed by more people than tobacco," he said. "I don't want to see that [industry] fall into the hands of tobacco companies or rapacious businessmen. "I'd like to see it fall into the hands of the failed business people Australia seems so good at producing or the Australia Post that seems so successful in driving away customers." He made the proposal for taxed and legalised cannabis at the Mardi Grass festival in Nimbin on Sunday, but said he would be happy to express his opinion to the Federal Government. A spokesman for the Minister for Health, Nicola Roxon, said the proposal would not be considered. Experts in the fields of drug and law enforcement yesterday opposed the suggestion, saying there was insufficient evidence that legalisation would not increase harmful use or lead to other law enforcement issues. "It's really going beyond the evidence to say regulatory control would effectively reduce adverse effects," said a deputy director of the National Drug Research Institute, Simon Lenton. "We don't know what the effects would be." Dr Wodak believed his idea could reduce cannabis consumption, based on comparisons between consumption in Amsterdam and San Francisco. He said regulated availability would also reduce people's exposure to other illicit drugs when buying the product. His model would make cannabis advertising illegal, ban political donations from the cannabis industry, and demand proof of age on purchase. He chose Australia Post for distribution as it could be regulated and had branches across the country. "What I'm talking about is not pro-cannabis … it's about reducing cannabis harm."
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/sell-cannabis-at-the-post-office/2008/05/05/1209839554211.html
Fun and not fun
How can it be fun if it's legal?
Re: Fun and not fun
It'll be a lot more fun. No more meeting dealers in back alleys, looking over your shoulder to see if a cop is watching, then quickly exchanging some cash for a bag of goods. No more more stressing out about sniffer dogs when you're on a train, walking down the street, or at the pub.
It's not fun being treated as criminal for simply wanting to use your drug of choice.
Young people today, tch tch!
You young people of today are just not rebellious enough. All those things were considered badges of honour in my day! Why does anyone buy it when they can grow it?
Re: Young people today, tch tch!
I knew someone who grew it (and just for personal use) but they got raided by the cops.
Re: Legalised cannabis and post offices
Yay! well said mate.
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