Western Australia (WA) Government made aware of ‘legal intoxicant’ people enjoy

News Source:

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/9192859/premier-may-ban-mineworkers-drug/

Picture Caption: 

JWH-018

The Western Australian Government in Australia is supposedly considering banning so-called “synthetic cannabis” according to news sources.

The reports suggest that the ban is a response to “prevalent use at WA mines”.

Use AT WA mines? Well that’s what the report says. Is this a case of poor wording or are mine workers lighting up on site? In any case the heavy handed outcome of the Government banning the substance would be one that is ignorant, arrogant, naïve and a total abuse of power – Not to mention earning the reputation as being a faction that likes to ruin the enjoyment its people.

Everyday ‘regular’ cannabis has been a hot topic for many people for years, and yet the Australian Federal Government does not even allow for discussion on the matter, instead they opt for the outdated ‘traditional’ option of forbidding it in every shape and form and policing it at the cost of many taxpayer dollars and at the cost of many peoples lives.

I digress…The report continues on to say that the substance in question is called ‘Kronic’, which is again inaccurate. ‘Kronic’ is a brand name for a blend of different substances – Suggesting this ban were to apply only to ‘Kronic’ would be no different to ban Coca-Cola because the powers to be want people to stop liking caffeine in soft drinks.

The report continues on to suggest that there is “widespread evidence” of the products potency and popularity…although the report itself provides no figures on the number of units sold over a specific time frame, in fact they don’t give any figures at all.

The report reads almost as though it is criticizing the WA Government for delaying any ruling on the matter because the Government is seeking further information. Does this news journal seriously expect the Government to act immediately on this without establishing all the facts?

 The premier of Western Australia Colin Barnett stated:

"If it is harmful and has the same harmful effects as cannabis, which includes all sorts of physical and mental effects, then we would look at whether it should be available for sale here… If this substance has the same damaging effects, then we will act"

Depends what your definition of ‘IT’ is…right Premier Barnett? It seems Colin currently does not like cannabis and goes as far as saying that cannabis has “all sorts” of “harmful effects” both physically and mentally.

Well it seems Premier Barnett won’t be reviewing the relaxation of regular cannabis laws in WA…in case you were wondering the man is a Liberal MP and was sworn into office back in 2008. Maybe he is looking for a matter to make him look as though he is making a difference. Could this be it? Fun also to note is that Colin was a senior research officer at the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Let’s hope this matter undergoes serious research.

In the past Premier Barnett campaigned to make homosexuality a crime for anyone under the age of 18, and according to Wikipedia:

“In October 2009, Barnett announced a series of new policies relating to drug legislation including a repeal of the Cannabis Control Act 2003. The previous laws were formulated by Geoff Gallop's drug summit, taking input from experts such as academics, police, social workers, lawyers, medical professionals and members of the public.”

“Barnett has stated it is his intention to overturn these laws because of his beliefs and stated that the drug summit members made a mistake introducing them and that cannabis was a "gateway drug".”

“To help with the enforcement of this new policy, Barnett also supported legislation to give police the power to search and seize property without any suspicion or belief that a crime has been committed. A Liberal parliamentarian, Peter Abetz, voiced support for these laws in parliament by drawing reference to the work Adolf Hitler did to bring security to Nazi Germany. Barnett stood by Abetz's statements, saying he was making a valid point.”

1. Barnett rejects expert opinion from Police, Social Workers, Lawyers, Medical Professionals, Academics, and members of the public
2. Barnett expects the entire WA population to do what he wants them to because he has ‘beliefs’
3. Barnett believes in the tired old “gateway theory” which is applied to cannabis
4. Barnett wants police to be able to harass whomever they want; with no reasoning…how can you oppose this? It worked in Nazi Germany!

ChemCentre is cited in the report as the Governments laboratory and as the only laboratory capable of detecting the presence of ‘Kronic’. Oh really? Did they design, build and protect the only device in the world with this capacity? Well that’s impressive.

The news report continues on saying that ChemCentre’s own forensic toxicologist Robert Hansson stated that “it was selling "hand over fist" at Perth shops”

I direct your attention back to the fact that no data has been provided on how many units have been supplied from…well anywhere, including shops in Perth. Where is this guy getting his information from and how trustworthy is it? The man has a clear conflict of interest as he is employed at the only company that provides a laboratory capable of testing for ‘Kronic’. Isn’t it in his best interest to make this product out to be bad so it can be banned and subsequently the company for which he works for can make money for testing for it? This gentleman is touted as a forensic toxicologist, perhaps he should be asked how many investigations of crimes involving a victim have a link to the use of ‘Kronic’, I mean seriously. I don’t think I have to point this out but no reference to this was made in the news report, either.

Mr. Hansson admits that long term effects aren’t known…even to him and his evident know-it-all-ism.

Mr. Hansson makes reference ‘Kronic’ utilizing the JWH-strain of chemicals which “mimic TCB, the active substance in cannabis”.

What is TCB? This supposedly ‘active substance’ which is in cannabis? I’ve read about the subject of cannabis for over 10 years and have never heard of TCB. I believe the news report should have said that JWH mimics the psychoactive chemical THC which is found in cannabis. A fun fact is that JWH-133 is a medication used to prevent Alzheimer's disease, so now more than before this comes a matter of what is the Government investigating, and why? Back we go to the news report…

The Drug and Alcohol Office's Gary Kirby said users suffered short-term fatigue, dehydration, nausea and headaches.

Wow, I’m so glad they included this information…that it makes people tired, thirsty and might make them nauseous and/or develop a headache. I don’t know about others but this reads like the symptoms of alcohol use…am I right?

Mr. Kirby also said “other countries reported that it caused agitation, anxiety, nausea, vomiting and disorientation”, and that “it was banned in some countries”.

So simply speaking…it gets the user high? Who cares that it is banned in “some countries” this is Australia, a highly developed Country that doesn’t want and doesn’t require constant rules and requirements from its Governments.

This news report ends rather abruptly giving quick points about the response of the mining industry and police. Of course the opposition party expects the government to make a decision quickly, so they can criticize whatever that decision is.

A date for the decision has not been set, perhaps it will be pulled out from nowhere like the Federal Australian Governments announcement of the Carbon Tax…

For me this whole thing is like watching a circus act. What should be a private matter now becomes a matter which determines whether or not you are considered a criminal in the eyes of the law. Occupation Health and Safety law already exists; drug testing exists for random and targeted screenings of workers (including testing for alcohol), and ‘Kronic’ promotes the safe use of its products – Is banning these substances really in the best interests of anyone?

As far as I am concerned, this is something that ought NOT be banned in WA, or in Australia for that matter.

Picture Caption: 

When authorities restricted JWH products in the U.S there were pre-ban sales.