Police—Medical cannabis
190. Hon Dr Brian Walkerto theminister representing the Minister for Police:
Having been approached by a number of constituents in recent months who report having had their legally prescribed medicinal cannabis confiscated by WA police, I ask the minister the following.
(1) Have WA police officers been provided with, or do they have access to, any formal guidance as to how and when it may be appropriate for them to confiscate medicinal cannabis from patients?
(2) If yes to (1), will the minister table that guidance?
(3) If no to (1), will the minister consider the need for such guidance to better ensure that patients are not unnecessarily discriminated against unless it is wholly unavoidable?
(4) If no to both (1) and (3), why not?
Hon Matthew Swinbourn replied:
I thank the member for some notice of the question. The Minister for Police has provided me with the following answer.
(1) Yes.
(2) The Western Australia Police Academy foundation training unit delivers face-to-face training designed to assist officers in appropriately addressing genuine patient use of medicinal cannabis while performing their duties, as part of the one-day Misuse of Drugs Act 1981 content. The police manual relating to medicinal cannabis contains a section with details and guidance for officers on the procedures and considerations. Application is specific to the investigating officer and their supervisor in consideration of lawful prosecutions. Due to operational sensitivities, the police manual will not be released.
(3)–(4) Not applicable.
