https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/canberra-star/confusion-remains-as-c...New laws legalising cannabis for personal use in the ACT have passed despite concerns people will still face prosecution under commonwealth law.
There is immense confusion around how Labor backbencher Michael Pettersson’s bill to allow adults to possess 50 grams of cannabis and grow two plants will work on a practical level.
An amendment moved at the ACT Legislative Assembly on Wednesday morning also casts doubt on whether the bill actually legalises the drug or whether it just constitutes further decriminalisation.
The Canberra Liberals have described the legislation as a “shemozzle” and have warned it will put police in a “compromised position” as it will come down to individual officers to decide whether to uphold state or federal law.
Shadow Attorney-General Jeremy Hanson has warned the laws — the first of their kind in Australia — would lead to an increase in drug driving and attract make the ACT even more of a “haven” for organised crime.
ACT Police have raised a multitude of “practical concerns”, mainly the creation of “ambiguity” and “tension” for police dealing with possession and cultivation of cannabis, which would remain illegal in the ACT by effect of Commonwealth Law.
ACT chief police officer Ray Johnson also warned the legislation would provide “a greater incentive for serious and organised crime involvement in the cultivation of cannabis” and reduce the risk to “crop sitters” — small scale growers who supply cannabis to outlaw motorcycle gangs.
I must get my watering can out...Users could face an $8000 fine or two years behind bars under Commonwealth legislation, which would invalidate the territory’s laws under the Constitution.
An amendment was moved to maintain the offence for possession of cannabis but remove the currently penalty to reduce conflict with federal laws, creating confusion around whether the bill actually legalises the drug at all.
Police will still be able to issue a simple cannabis offence notice but the penalty attached to that has been scrapped.
Other amendments moved on Wednesday morning include capping the number of plants that could be grown at a residence to four; as opposed to only having a cap on a per person basis. The number of plants an individual can grow has been reduced to two.
Another amendment means the laws won’t come into effect until a campaign has been run informing the public on how they will work.
The Government estimates the new laws will take effect on January 31.
oh I can pot sit for all my fellow neighbours who wish to go on cruises... wonder what the going rate is.. 
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