Medicinal cannabis
Rachel PAYNE (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:21): (369) My question is for the Minister for Police, represented by Minister Erdogan. In your response to my question on the management of drug-testing dogs with respect to medicinal cannabis, you referred to the police manual and said that the use of sniffer dogs on public transport promoted public safety, crime prevention and public trust in police. These operations do no such thing. They create a climate of fear. For medicinal cannabis patients, the invasiveness of this experience is compounded further as they are treated like criminals for simply taking their legally prescribed medication. So my question is: what evidence does the minister have that cannabis detection has any relationship with public safety?
Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice, Minister for Victim Support) (12:21): I thank Ms Payne for her question and her passion on this issue. In line with the practices of this place, I will refer that question on to the police minister in the other place and get an appropriate written response.
Rachel PAYNE (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:21): I thank the minister for referral. By way of supplementary, I ask: what steps are you taking to have the police manual updated so that it specifically has a section that relates to medicinal cannabis patients?
Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice, Minister for Victim Support) (12:22): I thank Ms Payne for her supplementary question. I will also refer that to the Minister for Police in the other place for a response.