HEMP EMBASSY HEADLINES ISSUE #640 | 30 JANUARY 2025

HEMP EMBASSY HEADLINES ISSUE #640 | 30 JANUARY 2025

By Published On: February 3, 2025Categories: Hemp HeadlinesTags:

High Headliners!

Some of you will know I had a museum in Nimbin which burnt down ten years ago. It was a community art project really, all about education, trying to convey how us hippies view life. The HEMP Embassy started in one room there before we moved across the road to where we are now.

Many people send us historical posters and papers from the early days of alternative culture and cannabis law reform efforts. I’ve got boxes full that escaped the fire. What to do with them? So I love the story of the old hippy Don Wirtshafter who has opened a Cannabis Museum in Ohio (say that out loud to yourself)!

The point of the museum, he says, is to show people how widespread cannabis medicine was before 1937. “Not only did they remove it from 1,500 drug stores but they went to libraries and museums and got everything out and tried to wipe it out of our collective memories”. Quite extraordinary if you think about it.

Miles Hunt, our NSW Legalise Cannabis Senate Candidate came up with some numbers from Australia’s century of cannabis prohibition (Australia prohibited the importation of cannabis in 1926). $250 billion in lost revenue. $75 billion in wasted enforcement costs. 4.5 million lives damaged by criminal charges. All can be fixed with one law change.

I still think the biggest damage is socially. Disrespect is now rampant for good laws as well, in sections of our society, which of course was always going to happen, as bad laws breed disorder. Furthermore, force creates resistance by its very nature. Would someone please tell the police!

Michael Balderstone

Nimbin HEMP Embassy Head

Northern Rivers Rail Trail – Walk, Ride, Explore!

2025 is a Federal Election Year

Meet Your Legalise Cannabis Party Lead Senate Candidates!

New South Wales—Miles Hunt—co-founder of the renowned drug harm minimisation charity, Unharm. Miles has dedicated his life to championing drug decriminalisation and legalisation.

Northern Territory—Lance Lawrence—previously ran as a senate candidate, garnering an impressive 6.2% of the vote—the highest of a Senate candidate for the Party.

Queensland—Belinda Jones—freelance journalist with a strong online following, known for her fearless investigations and activism through independent media.

South Australia—Dianah Walter—staunch advocate for universal human rights, civil liberties, privacy, personal freedom and a society that values tolerance over discrimination.

Tasmania—Matt Owen—first ran for the Party in 2013 and has continued to represent cannabis at the ballot box in Tassie, with 2022 being his last tilt.

Victoria—Fiona Patten—first elected to Victoria’s State Parliament in 2014 and re-elected for a second term in 2018—a champion for social justice and cannabis law reform.

Western Australia—Jason Meotti—played a pivotal role in establishing the Australian Drug Law Reform Foundation WA in 1998, serving as its first president until 2005.

CAN YOU HELP WITH CANNABIS LAW REFORM?

All donations will help end prohibition.

CLICK HERE TO CHIP IN TO THE PARTY’S FEDERAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN FUND

Contact Your Legalise Cannabis MPs

If you have an issue in your state, don’t hesitate to contact your LC Party parliamentarian:

Jeremy in New South Wales, David or Rachel in Victoria, or Brian in Western Australia

(Don’t forget to JOIN the Party, it’s free and sends a loud message—we are growing)!