[420 Girl]

The State Government has stepped up its war on hydroponic cannabis, making it illegal to possess the lamps and reflectors used to produce crops.

Equipment used in clandestine drug laboratories also will be targeted by new laws aimed at stopping illegal drug manufacturing within South Australia.

The prohibited equipment will include high-intensity lamps, reflectors and carbon filters used for hydroponic cannabis crops.

Laboratory equipment such as condensors, evaporators, heating tools, stirrers, funnels, flasks and filters also will be illegal to possess - unless the owners can provide a legitimate reason for possessing them.

Attorney-General Michael Atkinson today announced anyone found with the equipment who could not provide a lawful reason could face fines of up to $10,000 or two years' jail.

Do you agree or disagree with the Government's latest crackdown in the war on drugs? Vote in our poll on this page and leave your comments in the box at the bottom of the page.

"These are the tools of the lucrative but deadly drug trade," he said.

"They're used in sophisticated set-ups and two-bit backyard operations alike.

"This government will prosecute anyone who has these illegal drug-making devices – unless they can give a good explanation."

Mr Atkinson said the items had been identified by police has being commonly used to produce illegal drugs.

While some hydroponic equipment was used for legitimate purposes, such as growing vegetables, there was no question it was also being widely used for cannabis production.

"With the amount of hydroponic equipment being sold, you would think South Australia was the hydroponic tomato capital of Australia," he said.

"Alas, we do not produce as many hydroponic tomatoes as hydroponic cannabis."

Mr Atkinson said banning the hydroponic equipment had been identified as the best way to attack the drug trade, which predominantly involved bikie gangs.

"It's no secret that those who have these items aren't planning to bake biscuits for the Girl Guides," he said.

"Where there's smoke there's fire and we'd like to put out the blaze before it gets started."

Mr Atkinson said the Government was confident it could "make a big dent" against the drug trade with the new laws, which already had been passed by State Parliament.

http://www.420magazine.com/forums/in...equipment.html