Cannabis. Key Points 36 ILLICIT DRUG DATA REPORT

Transcription

1 Cannabis Key Points Cannabis remains the most widely used illicit drug in Australia. There were 627 detections of cannabis at the border in , 24 percent more than the previous reporting period. However, there was a minor decrease in the weight of cannabis detected. Sixty-two percent of all border detections of cannabis involved the importation of seeds. In , 69 percent of national drug arrests were for cannabis offences. 36 ILLICIT DRUG DATA REPORT

2 Main Forms Cannabis plants are categorised into two types: hemp and marijuana. Hemp is fibrous and low in psychoactive components and is primarily used to produce paper, clothes and skin care products. Cannabis sativa is the botanical name for the commonly used term, marijuana. Unlike hemp, marijuana is high in psychoactive components and appears in various forms that are commonly used as a drug. The main forms of cannabis and methods of administration are shown in Table 7. Table 7: Main forms of cannabis Form Description Properties Method of administration Herbal cannabis The leaves and flowering heads Low levels of THC Smoked as a rolled cigarette or inhaled through a water pipe or 'bong' Cannabis resin (hashish) Made from the resinous material of the cannabis plant, dried and compressed into balls, blocks or sheets. Colour ranges from light brown to black Medium levels of THC Crumbled and smoked in a pipe or bong, rolled into a cigarette with cannabis leaf or tobacco, or cooked with food and eaten, most notably as 'hash cookies' Cannabis oil Viscous oil extracted using a solvent such as acetone or methanol. Colour ranges from amber to dark brown High levels of THC Small amounts applied to cannabis or tobacco cigarettes; can also be heated and the vapour inhaled Cannabis contains more than 400 chemicals, 61 of which provide a psychoactive effect. These psychoactive chemical components are called cannabinoids. Of the cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant, the most powerful cannabinoid (containing hallucinogenic properties) is THC or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. This cannabinoid is concentrated in the flowering heads of the plant, with lower levels found in the leaves and stems. CANNABIS 37

3 To obtain higher levels of THC, varieties of the Cannabis sativa plant have been created using improved cultivation methods, plant selection and cloning (UNODC, 2003). Currently, there is insufficient forensic evidence in Australia to demonstrate improvements in potency or THC levels as a result of these methods. Cannabis is a depressant which slows the activity of the central nervous system. The effects of cannabis on the user are unpredictable and vary from person to person. While research on cannabis has identified immediate and long-term effects from cannabis use, these are dependant on the size and frequency of dosages. Immediate effects can include a sense of relaxation, loss of inhibition, impaired coordination, affected cognitive ability, hallucinations, anxiety and paranoia. Long-term use can cause respiratory illness (such as lung cancer and chronic bronchitis), loss of energy and affect hormone production. Research also suggests a causal link between cannabis and an increased risk of developing symptoms similar to schizophrenia (AIC, 2007; DrugInfo Clearinghouse, 2007). International trends The cultivation of cannabis remains a global problem. In Afghanistan, an estimated 70,000 hectares of cannabis were cultivated in 2007, an increase from 50,000 hectares in 2006 (UNODC, 2007). Despite reductions in Morocco, cultivation and production of cannabis in Africa remains widespread and continues to increase. In July 2006, 47 tonnes of cannabis herb was seized during a joint operation between law enforcement agencies from Lesotho and South Africa (INCB, 2006). For the period July to December 2006, Pakistan, Spain, Malawi, Portugal, Lesotho, South Africa and Saudi Arabia recorded total seizure weights of cannabis resin and herb in excess of one tonne each. The combined total weight of these countries was in excess of 52 tonnes (UNODC, 2006). The United States (US) Department of Justice has noted increased involvement in high potency cannabis production, smuggling and distribution by Canadian-based ethnic Asian drug trafficking organisations (NDIC, 2006; 2007). Cannabis use (including herb and resin) remains widespread in Asia. In 2006, Indonesia ranked cannabis as its most widely used illicit drug. Brunei, Japan, Singapore and Thailand all reported general increases in cannabis use (UNODC, 2007a). 38 ILLICIT DRUG DATA REPORT

4 Domestic trends Australian border situation While widely available overseas, cannabis importations into Australia remain economically unattractive due to low prices and plentiful supplies from domestic cultivation. Australian Customs Service (Customs) detections of cannabis products at the Australian border in totalled 45.7 kilograms, two kilograms less than There were 627 detections of cannabis at the border in , 24 percent more than the previous reporting period. Of the 627 detections in this reporting period, only 38 were above 100 grams, and 9 were above one kilogram (see Figure 12). Significant border detections Sixty-two percent (388 out of 627) of all cannabis product detections involved seeds. These were predominantly in small numbers intended for home cultivation, but were also occasionally detected in quantities ranging from 100 to 500 grams. In the first half of 2007, there were four large seizures of seeds ranging from 1 to 12 kilograms. This indicates infrequent importations for intended large-scale cultivation. Among the nine detections of over one kilogram, three involved attempted importation of hemp protein nutritional supplements from the US. Importation methods The majority of cannabis detections at the Australian border were sent by mail or found on air passengers and were considered to be personal use quantities. Cannabis is difficult to conceal and with its strong odour, makes consignments vulnerable to detection. Cannabis was detected in postal articles, air cargo parcels and the luggage of air passengers. It was also concealed in candy, jewellery boxes and within CD and DVD covers. CANNABIS 39

5 Figure 12: Country of embarkation for cannabis importations of more than 100 grams, detected by Customs (Source: Australian Customs Service) 30 Weight Number Canada China Netherlands Ireland Hong Kong Philippines Czech Republic Taiwan UK USA NZ Other Weight (kg) Number 2 0 Country Domestic market indicators Cannabis remains the most widely used illicit drug in Australia. According to the 2004 National Drug Household Survey, an estimated five million people aged 14 years and above reported cannabis use in the previous 12 months. The report also found that approximately 34 percent of persons (aged 14 years and over) reported cannabis use at least once in their lifetime, an increase of 0.5 percent from 2001 (AIHW, 2005). Research on national drug treatment services reported that cannabis was the principal illicit drug that treatment was provided for in (AIHW, 2007). Cannabis use is most prevalent amongst people in their 20s and 30s. Fifty-five percent of those aged 20 to 39 years reported cannabis use during their lives (McLaren and Mattick, 2006). A national study found that 47 percent of persons aged under 30 reported having friends who used cannabis. In the same study, one third of respondents indicated that cannabis use in their peer groups was viewed as unacceptable (NDARC, 2007). 40 ILLICIT DRUG DATA REPORT

6 The majority of cannabis consumed in Australia is domestically produced and remains readily available. While detections of large outdoor bush crops continue, the most commonly detected method of cultivating cannabis is through hydroponics or other enhanced indoor cultivation methods. 1 The use of hydroponics systems for cultivation enables cannabis to be grown all year round without being exposed to conditions such as unfavorable weather or a lack of soil nutrients, which often hamper outdoor cannabis cultivation. While the number of plants is typically lower for hydroponic cultivation, a higher yield of head or buds can be produced in a shorter period of time. Cannabis grown hydroponically is commonly perceived to have higher levels of THC than bush cannabis. Findings from a national study of injecting drug users show that hydroponic cannabis continues to be perceived as high potency and bush cannabis as medium (Black, Stafford and Degenhardt, 2007). The actual level of THC and the potency of cannabis in Australia is difficult to determine due to a lack of data (Hall and Swift, 2000). Price The price for one ounce of cannabis (approximately 28 grams) ranged from the minimum of $150 in New South Wales and South Australia to a maximum of $1000 in South Australia. The price for an ounce increased in South Australia from a maximum of $200 in , to $1000 in This significant price increase is specific to the Anangu-Pitjantjatjara-Yankunytjatjara (APY) lands of South Australia. This area is Indigenous land in the far north-west of South Australia covering 103,000 square kilometres. The remoteness of this region may impact on cannabis availability and subsequently may have led to an increase in the maximum reported price within this jurisdiction. The price for a pound of cannabis head decreased in Queensland from $4000 in to $2800 in Methods commonly referred to as hydroponics are not all truly hydroponic in nature. As defined by Section 3 of the Drugs Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985 (NSW), enhanced indoor cultivation includes nurturing the plant in nutrient enriched water as opposed to soil (hydroponics), suspending the plant roots and spraying them with nutrient-rich solution (aeroponics) and/or the use of an artificial source of light or heat. CANNABIS 41

7 Availability Cannabis remained widely available throughout Australia in A study of regular ecstasy users described bush cannabis as being very easy (43 percent) or easy (35 percent) to obtain. Comparatively, 66 percent of the same users reported hydroponic cannabis as very easy to obtain and 27 percent reported it is as easy to obtain (Dunn et al., 2006). Research on drug use amongst police detainees (incorporating surveys and urinalysis) found cannabis to be the most commonly detected drug, with approximately 55 percent of males and 53 percent of females testing positive to cannabis use in 2006 (Mouzos et al., 2007). Seizures and arrests Since , the number of seizures has remained relatively stable, while seizure weights have fluctuated (see Figure 13). In , New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory reported increases in the number of cannabis seizures, with increases in seizure weights reported by New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia and Tasmania (see Table 8). In , 69 percent of all national drug arrests were for cannabis offences. Increases in the number of cannabis arrests occurred in New South Wales, Western Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory. The number of infringement notices for the Australian Capital Territory also increased (see Tables 9 and 10). 42 ILLICIT DRUG DATA REPORT

8 Figure 13: National cannabis seizures, by weight and number, to ,000 Weight (kg) Number 70,000 16,000 60,000 14,000 12,000 50,000 10,000 8,000 6,000 4,000 2, Weight (kg) 40,000 30,000 20,000 Number 10,000 0 Year Table 8: Number, weight and percentage change of national cannabis seizures, and Number Weight (grams) State/territory a % change % change NSW 8,579 10, ,773 1,064,913r 22.4 Vic 2,904 3,036r 4.5 1,255,358 1,572,051r 25.2 Qld 16,998 16,660r -2.0r 852, ,688r SA , , WA 9,215 8,987r -2.5r 313, ,528r 11.2 Tas 863 2, , , NT 1, ,662 55, ACT r 8.5r 302, ,555r Total 40,679 43,844r 7.8r 4,482,626 4,781,900r 6.7 a. Includes seizures by state/territory police and AFP for which a valid seizure weight was recorded. CANNABIS 43

9 Table 9: Number and percentage change of national cannabis arrests, and Arrests State/territory a % change NSW 8,842 9, Vic 6,901 6,836r -1.0 Qld 23,235 22, SA 1,604 1,403r SA (CENs) b 5,502 5, WA 4,203 5,774r 37.4 WA (CINs) c 3,208 1, Tas 929 1, NT NT (DINs) d ACT ACT (SCONs) e Total 55,732 56,862r 2.0 a. Includes arrests by state/territory police and AFP. b. Cannabis Expiation Notices. c. Cannabis Infringement Notices. d. Drug Infringement Notices. e. Simple Cannabis Offence Notices. 44 ILLICIT DRUG DATA REPORT

10 Table 10: Number of national cannabis arrests, by state and territory, to State/territory a NSW 12,368 11, ,842 9,906 Vic ,901 6,836r Qld 19,879 22,065 23,355 23,235 22,699 SA ,604 1,403r SA (CENs) b ,502 5,393 WA ,203 5,774r WA (CINs) c na d 994 d ,208 1,878 Tas ,733 NT NT (DINs) e ACT ACT (SCONs) f Total 55,689 57,741 54,936 55,732 56,862r a. Includes arrests by state/territory police and AFP. b. Cannabis Expiation Notices. c. Cannabis Infringement Notices. d. Introduced in April 2004, data prior to unavailable. e. Drug Infringement Notices. f. Simple Cannabis Offence Notices. CANNABIS 45

11 National impact Detections of cannabis at the border decreased in weight but increased in number, indicating a trend of smaller cannabis importations. Over half of all border detections involved the importation of seeds, with four of these ranging from 1 to 12 kilograms in weight. While a market for cannabis seeds exists, large-scale international cannabis seizures are unlikely to have an impact on the domestic market due to the abundance of available product through domestic cultivation. Cannabis remains the most commonly used illicit drug in Australia. In , 69 percent of national drug arrests were for cannabis offences. This rate has remained consistent over several years. Prevalence rates for cannabis use continue to be highest amongst adolescents and young adults and it is unlikely that there will be any significant decreases in the demand for cannabis in the short-term. However, the implementation of the National Cannabis Strategy may influence a reduction in cannabis use through a comprehensive and balanced approach to supply, demand and harm reduction strategies (Commonwealth of Australia, 2006). As noted in the ATS chapter, cannabis seizures have historically accounted for the greatest total weight of national illicit drug seizures. However, in , national ATS seizures accounted for 46 percent of the total seizure weight of all illicit drugs compared to cannabis with 41 percent. This is a direct consequence of a significant law enforcement seizure of MDMA. References Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC), Illicit drugs and alcohol: cannabis (online). < html> [Accessed 6 December 2007]. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), National Drug Strategy Household Survey: Detailed Findings (online). Drug Statistics Series 16, AIHW cat. no. PHE 66. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Canberra. < title/10190> [Accessed 19 November 2007]. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), Alcohol and other drug treatment services in Australia: Report on the National Minimum Data Set (online). Bulletin 52: July Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Canberra. < title/10431> [Accessed 19 November 2007]. Black, E., Stafford, J. and Degenhardt, L., An overview of the 2007 IDRS: the Injecting Drug User survey findings (online). Drug Trends Bulletin, October 2007, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney. < nsf/resources/bulletins+_2007.2/$file/idrs+bulletin+october+2007.pdf> [Accessed 17 December 2007]. Commonwealth of Australia, National Cannabis Strategy (online). < drugstrategy/publishing.nsf/content/fc2ef9e5d3ae9dddca2571b6001c96b8/$file/cannabis-strategy.pdf> [Accessed 22 November 2007]. 46 ILLICIT DRUG DATA REPORT

12 Copeland, J., in Ross, J., Illicit drug use in Australia: Epidemiology, use patterns and associated harm (2nd Edition) (online). < nationaldrugstrategy.gov.au/internet/drugstrategy/publishing.nsf/content/17b917608c1969abca a72d4/$file/mono-63.pdf> [Accessed 30 November 2007]. DrugInfo Clearinghouse, Cannabis (online). Australian Drug Foundation. < [Accessed 7 December 2007]. Dunn, M., Degenhardt, L., Campbell, G., George, J., Johnston, J., Kinner, S., Matthews, A., Newman, J. and White, N., Australian Trends in Ecstasy and Related Drug Markets 2006: Findings from the Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS), Monograph No. 61, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney. Hall, W. and Swift, W., The THC Content Of Cannabis In Australia: Evidence (online). Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, October 2000, Vol. 24, Issue 5. < [Accessed 30 November 2007]. International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), Analysis of the World Situation: Africa, Report of the International Narcotics Control Board for 2006 (online). < [Accessed 4 December 2007]. McLaren, J. and Mattick, R.P., Cannabis in Australia: Use, supply, harms and response (online). Monograph series No. 57, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney. < nsf/content/4fde76abd582c84eca bb6eb/$file/mono-57.pdf> [Accessed 17 December 2007]. Mouzos, J., Hind, N., Smith, L. and Adams, K., Drug use monitoring in Australia: 2006 annual report on drug use among police detainees, Research and Public Policy Series, No. 75, Australian Institute of Criminology. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC), Cannabis Acceptance up in Smoke (online). Health Report, University of New South Wales, Sydney. < [Accessed 17 December 2007]. National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC), National Drug Threat Assessment 2007 (online). United States Department of Justice. < usdoj.gov/ndic/pubs21/21137/21137p.pdf> [Accessed 4 December 2007]. National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC), National Drug Threat Assessment 2008 (online). United States Department of Justice. < usdoj.gov/ndic/pubs25/25921/25921p.pdf> [Accessed 17 February 2008]. O Brien, S., Black, E., Degenhardt, L., Roxburgh, A., Campbell, G., de Graaff, B., Fetherston, J., Jenkinson, R., Kinner, S., Moon, C. and White, N., Australian Drug Trends 2006: Findings from the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS), Monograph No. 60, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Terminology and Information on Drugs (online). Second edition, Laboratory and Scientific Division, United Nations, Vienna. < [Accessed 4 December 2007]. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Bi-annual seizure report 2006/02 (online). UNODC, Vienna. < publications/report_biannual_seizures_2006_2.pdf> [Accessed 4 December 2007]. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Afghanistan Opium Survey 2007: Executive Summary (online). UNODC, Vienna. < [Accessed 4 December 2007]. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), 2007a. Patterns and Trends of Amphetamine-Type Stimulants (ATS) and Other Drugs of Abuse in East Asia and the Pacific UNODC Regional Centre for East Asia and the Pacific, June CANNABIS 47