The Australian Illicit Drug Report 2001 – 2002 indicates that the potency of Australia’s cannabis (derived from marijuana), and amphetamine–type stimulants has increased in recent years.7 The Committee was told that in people with a pre-existing vulnerability, amphetamine use and long-term heavy marijuana use may both trigger drug induced psychosis, involving symptoms similar to those seen in paranoid schizophrenia.

Section 3 Australia’s criminal environment AUSTRALIA'S CRIM INAL ENVIRONM ENT 17 S3 Table 3.1: Key substances in the Australian illicit drug market 2020–21 Substance Market characteristics Cannabis Serious and organised crime (SOC) groups are well established in the Australian cannabis market, although they do not dominate it.

Intelligence also indicated that some aggravated SCTs were being committed by offenders targeting cannabis grown in domestic premises.

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� MDMA—wastewater analysis indicates MDMA consumption levels are relatively low across the country, with minimal differences identified between regional and capital city test sites. 52 2017–18 Chair Annual Report Board of the ACIC � Cannabis—almost all cannabis consumed in Australia is cultivated domestically and the majority of border detections are cannabis seed.

From these 2,956 indications there were 496 detections comprising 102 Arrest/Reports, 113 Drug Diversions and 281 Cannabis Expiation Notices.

For example, Big W “Toys for Joy” Na�onal Pharmacy and Blooms Pharmacy, empty medicinal blister packs Harvey Norman, E waste and polystyrene Office Works, mul� recycling op�ons at different stores.

Discover and understand In 2015–16, through the High Risk and Emerging Drugs No. 2 Special Operation, the ACC conducted 24 coercive examinations to fill intelligence gaps, identify insights and enhance understanding of serious and organised crime and high risk and emerging drugs, covering issues such as: �� diversion of chemicals to manufacture 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) �� manufacture of synthetic cannabis and importation of precursors and other substances for this purpose �� techniques used by organised crime groups in an attempt to defeat Australian border controls �� identification of methylamphetamine trafficking syndicates with links to a number of states.

Current Medicinal Chemistry 11: 1–12.