Criminal justice perspectives on South Australia's Cannabis Expiation Notice procedures

Author(s): McMillan, E.

Journal/Book: Drug Alcohol Rev. 2000; 19: Rankine Rd, Basingstoke Rg24 8Pr, Hants, England. Carfax Publishing. 281-286.

Abstract: South Australia's Cannabis Expiation Notice (CEN) scheme, introduced in 1987, enabled adults possessing, cultivating or using small amounts of cannabis in private to avoid formal prosecution and the possible conviction by paying an expiation fee. The system attracted considerable criticism when first introduced. Some in the criminal justice sector thought the approach would prove unworkable. The paper summarizes a 1997 study of criminal justice attitudes toward the CEN system. Data were collected from 50 people via one-to-one interviews and focus-group discussions. Most respondents were from South Australia Police, but members of the judiciary and representatives of other government departments were also interviewed. Overall, this research indicated that the criminal justice sector was satisfied with expiation and saw no need to revert to prosecution of minor cannabis offenders. Drug Task Force and other detectives were concerned, however, about the provision for up to 10 plants in cultivation being expiable. They produced evidence that individuals and groups were exploiting this provision in order to grow cannabis commercially. Shortly after the research was completed, South Australia's government closed the apparent loophole, by reducing the expiable number of plants to three. The authors argue that other approaches could also have been adopted by policymakers, to undermine organized crime's grip over cannabis production and distribution.

Note: Article Sutton A, Univ Melbourne, Dept Criminol, Parkville, Vic 3052, AUSTRALIA

Keyword(s): South Australia; cannabis; expiation; policing; criminal justice; cultivation

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