A 19-year-old man will be one of the last people to automatically appear in court for a first-time drug driving offence, having been charged just two days before the change in legislation.
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The Kains Flat man tested positive to cannabis on Saturday, May 18, after he was stopped for random breath and drug testing in Gladstone Street, Mudgee, he told officers "I smoked pot this morning".
In court, he was handed a 12-month Conditional Release Order without a criminal conviction being recorded.
The legislation change also sees first-time low-range drink drivers fined $561 and their licence suspended for three months - bypassing the local court as well.
In July, Magistrate David Day commented that the drop-off in low range matters was "noticable", although at that point the delay in drug testing results meant they were still common.