All the news this week with regard to cannabis in Australia just sounds like the weary voice of complete policy failure across the board both at state and Federal level after nigh on a decade of pointless discussion and just enough “industry creation” to build an entirely dysfunctional cannabis retail environment, sorry we meant medical cannabis market!
We’ve got medical cannabis firms who can’t get off the ground without going into financial administration, we’ve got overseas medical cannabis producers using Australia as a dumping ground before new TGA rules come into force ( we imagine there’s a few on the ground Australian enablers trying to make a quick buck in that process too) and we have the police on 4 day mega raids in a region the size of some small European countries because, well, they can.
The Byron Echo reports on money badly spent by the NSW Police Force
While we get the hemp industry going on the Northern Rivers and smoking cannabis is legal in many countries across the world the NSW police have once again headed out with their choppers and dogs to curb the cannabis cultivation that the region is known for.
A NSW police spokesperson told The Echo that, ‘Police have seized more than $2 million worth of cannabis as part of an ongoing investigation into outdoor cannabis cultivation in the state’s north.
‘Between Monday (30 January 2023) and Thursday (2 February 2023), officers from the State Crime Command’s Drug and Firearms Squad – with assistance from Tweed/Byron Police District, Northern Rivers Region Enforcement Squad (RES), PolAir, and the Dog Unit – conducted the four-day operation across the district.
‘During the four-day operation, officers seized 1,088 cannabis plants, with an estimated potential street value of more than $2.1 million. An additional 9kg of cannabis head was also seized with an estimated potential street value of about $68,000.
‘Additional items were also located and seized during the four-day operation, including an air rifle, methylamphetamine, MDMA, and cash.
‘Seven people were arrested and charged with drug-related offences.
‘Investigations by the Drug and Firearms Squad are continuing.’
