Drugs Cannabis is the most abused non - medical drug in South Australia, but there is a definite trend towards the use of hard drugs, particularly Heroin.

Section 3 Australia’s criminal environment 15 S3 AUSTRALIA’S CRIM INAL ENVIRONM ENT Table 3.1: Key substances in the Australian illicit drug market 2022–23 Substance Market characteristics Cannabis Serious and organised crime (SOC) groups are well established in the Australian cannabis market, although they do not dominate it.

Regulations referred to: Controlled Substances Act 1984 -Regulations — Simple Cannabis Expiation Fees Environment Protection Act 1993 -Regulations — Fee Unit Public Finance and Audit Act 1987-Regulations —Public Authorities Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Act 1998 — Regulations —M's DNA Development Act 1997 — Regulation - Cover requirement revoked Fisheries Act 1982- Regulations - gill , mesh and bait nets Page 1 Page 2

Seizures included 49 firearms; 69 kg methamphetamine; 354 kg cannabis; 45 litres fantasy and over 10 000 ecstasy tablets.

For example the arrest of two people with 36 firearms offences; a cache of illegal weapons, including firearms, South Australia Police – Annual Report 2012-2013 Page 19 silencers, ammunition and approximately 40 prohibited weapons, along with a small amount of cannabis and cash.

Of the 348 detections police action comprised of 365 arrest/reports, Drug Diversions and/or Cannabis Expiation Notices.

At the request of the Premier and the Minister of Health, the Office has also commenced to evaluate the impact of the amendment to the controlled Substances Act, 1986 which allows for the expiation by payment of a fine of simple cannabis offences.

Detection Statistics for CGTF commencing November 2007: o 499 arrests / reports of OMCG members o 1088 arrests/reports of associates and those linked to OMCGs o The seizure of 330 firearms o 728 premises searched of OMCG members (including clubrooms) o 871 premises searched of associates and those linked to OMCGs o Seizure of $2.33 million in cash o Seizure of 1280 cannabis plants o Seizure of 61,000 street deals of loose cannabis o Seizure of 72,000 street deals of methamphetamine o Seizure of 34,500 street deals of ecstasy o Seizure of 10,980 street deals of other drugs o 394 barring orders issued o 39 current OMCG have current firearm prohibition orders.

Expert evidence from Professor Jason White,4 pharmacologist, was to the effect that the concentrations of these drugs were consistent with normal therapeutic use, with only mild effects and very little or no impairment of Mr Robertson’s driving ability, either individually or in combination. 10 Also found in Mr Robertson’s blood was 2μg delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) per L.5 This is the major psychoactive component of cannabis and may be detected in low quantities up to a day after consumption of cannabis.

I am interested in the new Office of Industrial Hemp and Medicinal Cannabis.