We reported yesterday on Australian Health Minister, Greg Hunt’s, letter to the ACT and his concern over health issues regarding the legalizing of possession of small amounts of cannabis in the territory. Just the latest arrow fired from the government’s quiver of “legal issues” read complaints concerning the ACT’s recent affirmative legalization vote .
The ACT AG Gordon Ramsay (Not that Gordon Ramsay!) responded, “I trust that the time and resources of our federal police and courts will not be wasted pursuing individual cannabis users who are acting in accordance with ACT law”. Today Federal AG Porter weighs in. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reports.
Before starting I did find a Gordon Ramsey, yes that Gordon Ramsey, cannabis connection for you all ! As usual he’s not happy. You’re probably thinking what we’re thing.
“High As A Kite” Owner Shows Gordon His Medicinal Marijuana | Hotel Hell
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reports.
The ACT Government has sent the Commonwealth a strongly worded defence of its cannabis legislation, warning against any attempt to overrule the contentious law and “will of the people”.
Senior federal ministers have been highly critical of the ACT’s move last month to legalise possession, consumption and cultivation of small amounts of cannabis for adults in Canberra from early next year.
Federal Attorney-General Christian Porter is still weighing up a response to the legislation, which his office only saw in full this week.
The ACT Government sent two letters about the laws to the Commonwealth yesterday. The first, from ACT Attorney-General Gordon Ramsay, warned Mr Porter against any challenge to the legislation.
“The Act has been passed by the ACT Legislative Assembly as a self-governing body with the authority to make laws for people of the ACT,” Mr Ramsay wrote.
“I reiterate my previous advice that this legislation expresses the will of the ACT people and convey my deep concern should the Commonwealth seek in any way to overrule and intervene in the democratic processes of the ACT.”
The Commonwealth has the power to strike out laws made by the ACT and Northern Territory parliaments. It last did so in 2006, when the Howard government overturned the ACT’s decision to recognise marriage-like civil unions between same-sex couples.
The new ACT law directly conflicts with Commonwealth laws banning the possession of cannabis, a matter Mr Porter previously flagged he would examine closely.
However, in his letter, Mr Ramsay argued there were provisions within Commonwealth law that allowed the ACT law to be applied without issue.
He also said federal authorities should spent their time addressing matters more serious than simple cannabis possession.
“I trust that the time and resources of our federal police and courts will not be wasted pursuing individual cannabis users who are acting in accordance with ACT law,” Mr Ramsay wrote.
Read full article at https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-15/act-warns-federal-government-not-to-overturn-cannabis-law/11602530
