BONGS and other drug paraphernalia should be outlawed in Victoria, according to the Democratic Labor Party (DLP).
Western Victoria MP Peter Kavanagh has given State Parliament notice that he will introduce a bill to ban the sale and display of equipment used to smoke marijuana.
The DLP politician told The Standard he has spent several months drafting the legislation which is likely to be introduced to parliament next month.
"Allowing bongs to be sold and displayed in public lowers the community perception about the seriousness of marijuana prohibition," Mr Kavanagh said.
"This legislation may prevent only a limited number of people using marijuana but it will at least send the message that marijuana use is a serious offence.
"Victoria is almost alone among Australian states in not even attempting to ban the sale of bongs. The open sale and display of bongs in Victoria surely sends the wrong message."
Mr Kavanagh expected his Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Amendment (Pro?hibition of Display and Sale of Bongs) Bill 2010 to receive Coalition support.
However, its passing was dependent on the Greens voting in favour. He said it was possible for a Greens "yes" vote despite the party's support for regulated use of cannabis for medicinal purposes.
"I've spoken to some Liberal MPs and they're quite supportive but Labor MP response has not been as strong," he said.
Western Victoria MP John Vogels said he had not looked at the bill but would read it and present a viewpoint before the legislation was presented next month.
NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source: The Warrnambool Standard
Author: ALEX SINNOTT
Copyright: 2010 Fairfax Media
Western Victoria MP Peter Kavanagh has given State Parliament notice that he will introduce a bill to ban the sale and display of equipment used to smoke marijuana.
The DLP politician told The Standard he has spent several months drafting the legislation which is likely to be introduced to parliament next month.
"Allowing bongs to be sold and displayed in public lowers the community perception about the seriousness of marijuana prohibition," Mr Kavanagh said.
"This legislation may prevent only a limited number of people using marijuana but it will at least send the message that marijuana use is a serious offence.
"Victoria is almost alone among Australian states in not even attempting to ban the sale of bongs. The open sale and display of bongs in Victoria surely sends the wrong message."
Mr Kavanagh expected his Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Amendment (Pro?hibition of Display and Sale of Bongs) Bill 2010 to receive Coalition support.
However, its passing was dependent on the Greens voting in favour. He said it was possible for a Greens "yes" vote despite the party's support for regulated use of cannabis for medicinal purposes.
"I've spoken to some Liberal MPs and they're quite supportive but Labor MP response has not been as strong," he said.
Western Victoria MP John Vogels said he had not looked at the bill but would read it and present a viewpoint before the legislation was presented next month.
NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source: The Warrnambool Standard
Author: ALEX SINNOTT
Copyright: 2010 Fairfax Media