Offences under the Cannabis Expiation Notice scheme in South Australia

Since the introduction of the Cannabis Expiation Notice (CEN) scheme in Sou th Australia in April 1987, the number of minor cannabis offences for which CENs have been issued has increased from 6231 expiable offences in the 198 7/88 financial year to a peak of over 18000 offences in 1996/97. This-net-w idening' appears unrelated to prevalence of cannabis use. The rate of expia tion of issued CENs has remained below 50%. Of those CENs that are not expi ated, the vast majority was forwarded for prosecution and result in a convi ction for the offender. Overall, around 46% of total CENs issued between 19 91/92 and 1995/96 resulted in a conviction, or around 90% of all CENs forwa rded for prosecution. This net-widening and the low rate of expiation may h ave resulted in more convictions than would have occurred had the system no t been introduced. The low expiation rate may relate to difficulties faced by offenders in paying expiation fees. Changes to the payment options for e xpiation offences in the last few years have led to a minor increase in the proportion cleared by expiation. Further education on the consequences of failure to expiate may improve the situation.