FRANKS: What is the status of the Office of Industrial Hemp and Medicinal Cannabis?

FRANKS: The first topic is on the Office of Industrial Hemp and Medicinal Cannabis.

In regard to the ability of the Minister for Health to grant licences, authorities or permits with respect to somebody manufacturing, cultivating, supplying, administering or possessing cannabis or cannabis derivatives, is there a place in the department where that request will go to, or does it go direct to the Minister for Health?

FRANKS: What is the status of the Office of Industrial Hemp and Medicinal Cannabis?

FRANKS: The first topic is on the Office of Industrial Hemp and Medicinal Cannabis.

Assoc. with Physi- Mental Retarda- tion No Psychia- tric Diagnosis Totals Total Per Cent of Total Per Cent Change from cal Cond. 1973 -74 Addiction M F 4 2 4 2 446 111 13.08 325 +0.68 +33.73 No Addiction M F 39 30 181 140 33 34 28 8 184 146 18 14 1 360 1 493 39.88 43.78 +3.42 +1-70 Total M F 43 32 185 142 33 34 28 8 184 146 18 14 1 806 1 604 52.96 47.04 +2.73 +3.42 Total 75 327 67 36 330 32 3 410 +3.05 26 TABLE 17 IN-PATIENTS-TOTAL ADMISSIONS, 1974 -75 Diagnosis by Addiction to Drugs Diagnosis Senile and Pre - senile Dementia Alcoholic Psychosis Other Organic Psychoses Schizo- phrenia and Para- noid States Depressive Psychosis Other Functional Psychoses Depressive Neurosis Other Neuroses and Psychoso- matic Disorders Alcoholism Type of Drug Opium M - - - - - - - Synthetic Analgesics M - - - - - - - Barbiturates MF-- -- _- -- -- -- - - - Other Hypnotics M - - - - - - - - Cocaine MF-- -- -- -- - -- -- -- - Cannabis Sativa MF-- -- -- -

In 2019-20 SAPOL issued 6 740 cannabis expiation notices, seized around 14 kilograms of methamphetamine, 12 553 cannabis plants, 597 grams of heroin and 216 377 litres of fantasy; as well as located/dismantled 64 clandestine laboratories.

Approved by the Board in December 2012 and extended until 30 June 2015, the Task Force has already achieved significant traditional law enforcement outcomes, including: � seizing more than $37.86 million cash � seizing drugs and precursors with a combined estimated street value of more than $642 million through seizures in all states � dismantling the largest ever clan lab discovered in Victoria � discovering the largest indoor hydroponic cannabis crop in New South Wales � seizing one of the largest amounts of liquid methylamphetamine in Victoria (365 litres in April 2013 in Melbourne) � restraining more than $30 million worth of assets and the referral of over 150 entities to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for suspected money laundering/tax evasion � disrupting 25 serious and organised criminal groups/networks � identifying more than 180 targets previously unknown to law enforcement � arresting 167 people on 362 charges, including many serious drug

The University of Melbourne Centre for Adolescent Health has followed nearly 2000 teenage high school students since 1992 and found that 80% of those surveyed reported using alcohol or cannabis by the age of 17.

It is arguable, that committed, continuous use of cannabis would amount to unprofessional conduct.