(02) 9261 8881
Book a Lawyer

We're Open Throughout the Holidays

Sonia Hickey

Sonia Hickey is a freelance writer, magazine journalist, and owner of 'Woman with Words'. She has a strong interest in social justice and is a member of the Sydney Criminal Lawyers® content team. Sonia is the winner of the Mondaq Thought Leadership Awards, Spring 2022.

NSW Government Wants a Stronger Police Force

by &
The NSW Government has pledged a record $3.9 billion to the New South Wales Police Force in its 2018-19 budget, with a commitment to more road side testing, initiatives to combat terrorism and new police stations. The announcement comes hot...
Symbol of NSW Police

Australia – Where Backpackers are Exploited and Harassed

by &
Australia has long been a country that young people aspire to travel - the golden beaches, surf culture, and the never-ending sunshine make it attractive to backpackers in particular. And the Australian Government has made it relatively easy for young...
Farm workers

Cannabis Gummy Bears Available in Australia

by
Cannabis edibles are making their way onto the Australian drug scene, and they make it easier for users to avoid detection as they can be chewed at any time, anywhere. Edible cannabis-derived gummies which may contain both THC or CBD...
Cannabis edibles are making their way onto the Australian drug scene, and they make it easier for users to avoid detection as they can be chewed at any time, anywhere. Edible cannabis-derived gummies which may contain both THC or CBD oil in them, look like gummy bear lollies or soft chewy multivitamins. And because of the way they look, there are concerns the chewables could be mistaken by children as harmless sweets. In the US, cannabis edibles are widely available where the sale and possession of marijuana is legal. They’re described as the ‘drug you can do at work’ because they’re less obvious to consume than traditional cannabis, and the THC component offers a mellow long-term high that is said to help people feel less stressed and anxious. Party scene and workplaces The edibles have hit the party scene and made their way into workplaces in Sydney, and some gummies contain 25mg of CBD – a drug said to curb nervousness and stress, promote sleep and reduce muscular inflammation and pain, which is why they are also used among cancer patients and to treat other conditions. In Australia, imported medicinal cannabis products can be used if prescribed by a doctor. However, patients needing access to medicinal cannabis are finding that bureaucratic delays and high costs are often making access to the drug very difficult. NSW Police say they are aware of a variety of cannabis edibles, but also warn that they are illegal in New South Wales. Stoned workers Conservative commentators in US states where recreational cannabis is legal have raised concerns about workers being high during working hours, given the ease by which cannabis edibles can pass as ordinary snacks. For some occupations there is, and always will be, a zero-tolerance for alcohol and drugs. However for others, the question remains exactly how employers will test for, and police drug affected workers, particularly when THC stays in the body for so long after it has been taken. US authorities are also working through regulations that would protect people from accidental ingestion. There are also unanswered questions around how the digested product affects impairment differently from marijuana when it is smoked in a pipe or as a joint. Experts say that ironing out the full implications of legalising marijuana in all its forms is likely to take about a decade, and that initially, policy shortcomings will be inevitable – it’s likely that many issues that arise will end up being tested by the courts. Canada is set to finalise its legal framework for legalising marijuana later this year. The country is optimistic about following in the footsteps of US states which have reaped enormous economic benefits from legalisation, which reducing the harms associated with prohibition. In Australia As more and more jurisdictions around the world legalise the recreational use of cannabis, leaders of the major political parties in Australia remain steadfast in their opposition to the move. However, Greens Leader Richard Di Natale announced last month that his party will formally adopt a policy of legalisation nationwide. The Greens’ propose to regulate and tax cannabis with a system that operates in much the same way as the alcohol and tobacco industries. The Greens say that a legalised recreational cannabis market would undermine organised crime groups that benefit from prohibition, as well as alleviate the burden it places on the criminal justice system.

Archbishop Guilty of Covering up Child Sexual Abuse

by &
One of Australia’s most senior Catholics has been found guilty of concealing child sexual abuse and faces a maximum penalty of two years in prison. 67-year old Archbishop Philip Wilson was charged in March 2015 with one count of concealing...
Catholic communion

Budget Boost Will Not Reduce Court Backlogs

by
The Federal Government delivered a mixed-bag of good and bad news for the Australian court system last week. It announced an $80m boost to court resources, but many believe the amount is not enough to sufficiently ease the burden the...
budget boost

Give Distance to Cyclists or Face the Consequences

by
The Minimum Passing Distance rule has been retained as a permanent road rule in New South Wales, after a trial of the rule was hailed a success. The rule requires motorists to leave a minimum one-metre gap when passing cyclists...
Cyclists on the road

NSW Government Says its Hidden Cameras Reveal Shocking Driver Conduct

by
Last month, the New South Wales government announced it would be trialling high-tech cameras capable of detecting illegal mobile phone use from as far away as a kilometre, and issuing fines without drivers being aware. The crackdown came after two...
Putting makeup on while driving

Police Officer Stood Down for Mowing Down Pedestrian

by &
A senior police officer has been stood down after running down an 18-year old with a police car on a suburban street. The incident occurred in Thornleigh in Western Australia and there is currently an internal investigation underway into the...
assault police

Another Ballarat Police Officer Accused of Brutality

by &
Ballarat police have been under intense scrutiny in recent times, after a number of videos emerged of officers engaging in acts of brutality against members of the public. One of those videos shows officers dousing a handcuffed woman with pepper...
police post

Concerns for the Mental Health of Magistrates

by &
There are calls for a review of the workplace health and safety of members of the judiciary, with the recent deaths of two Victorian magistrates raising concerns about their mental wellbeing. The sudden passing of magistrate Stephen Myall just weeks...
magistrates
Load older articles

Receive all of our articles weekly

Menu

Search Our Site
enter search term and press GO

APPOINTMENT BOOKING

Preferred date for conference
Briefly describe your situation:
Do you have a court date?

Ask anything

Overview

Search Results

Get legal help fast

For your security and privacy, clear this conversation after you finish.