Cannabis Cultivation Booms

Cannabis being the most commonly used illicit drug in Australia is mainly produced domestically.

Cannabis arrests comprise two thirds of all illicit drug arrests.

The number of detections of cannabis at Australian border increased 60 per cent mainly involving seeds mailed to Australia.

Whilst the number of border detections of cannabis was up the quantities were small.

The largest detection of cannabis was targeted at indigenous residents.

Stronger THC hydroponic cannabis is increasingly used by Australians.

(Source: Australian Crime Commission Illicit Drug Data Report 2008/9 released 8 June 2010)

DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL COMMENTS-

With stronger cannabis being more common the potential for mental illnesses increases.

Psychosis, schizophrenia, depression and intoxicated driving from the stronger THC are increasingly common problems of cannabis.

With more apprehensions by authorities for cannabis use, the opportunity exists to identify and divert these users into detoxification and rehabilitation before these problems occur or become chronic.

With more than half of police detainees testing positive to cannabis in 2008 these could be the first diversions for rehabilitation.

Safer communities are the beneficiaries of reducing cannabis use.

Its time to invest in rehabilitation programs that are backed by court diversion programs that help users to quit.