RESEARCH
Legalise Cannabis rolling up for the election with most Senate candidates sorted
Kath Noneofyourbusiness Cannabis News, Media Releases
MEDIA RELEASE April 6 2022
LEGALISE CANNABIS ROLLING FOR THE ELECTION
Nimbin’s MardiGrass might be postponed but not the Federal election expected now on May 14. Legalise Cannabis (formerly the HEMP Party) has plans to run senate candidate across Australia and in some lower house seats.
“How many local representatives we run depends on how much money we can raise,” said president Michael Balderstone. “The senate candidates are pretty well sorted and we’ve had a lot of members apply to run across the country for the lower house also.”
“There are two major driving forces behind our passion for change and one is the actual driving laws with their saliva testing and instant loss of license for just the presence of cannabis, nothing to do with impairment at all.”
“Even legally prescribed medical cannabis patients are not allowed to drive which has severely limited its uptake. We are the only country on the planet with driving laws as harsh and unreal as this yet nobody seems to hear the multitude of voices calling for change.”
“The other bugbear for cannabis users is not being allowed to grow our own medicine. Millions of every day Australians could so easily grow their own plants instead of pouring millions of dollars every week into the blackmarket. An ounce of pot, four grams a day for a week, is used by many people and costs about $350.”
“No wonder some people choose to be pain free but homeless, spending their rent money on medicine they know works for them. I personally know people in this boat and many many pension and unemployment cheques are sunk straight into the blackmarket every week.”
“I personally think it’s scandalous that our arrest and jail rates remain as high or higher than ever despite endless evidence now that the war on drugs has failed and in fact is causing massive social damage. There is living proof now overseas that ending prohibition of cannabis for a start lessens suicides, opiate overdoses, car accidents and so on. But it also lessens pharmaceutical use and therein lies the problem. The war on drugs is Big Pharmas war, make no mistake about it. They maintain it and they profit from it enormously.”
“The other issue close to the heart of Legalise Cannabis is the potential of this one plant to help save the Planet. We forget it was the most grown and useful plant on the Earth until a couple of hundred years ago. It’s healthier for the soil than cotton and in fact any crop as it needs so few chemicals, it’s seed is a superfood and it’s fibre unique in strength and length while it’s flowers make the safest and most useful medicine in nature. Plus it’s extremely fast growing and ideal for sequestering carbon.
“And most important of all, it’s consciousness changing, eye opening, enlightening, it can wake people up to the Truth which is exactly what we need! And why it was called Gods Gift for millennia in the East.”
The Provisional Legalise Cannabis Senate Candidates are
- NSW – Michael Balderstone & Gail Hester
- Queensland – Bernie Bradley & Suzette Luyken
- South Australia – Tyler Green & Angela Adams
- Tasmania – Matt Owen & Luke Williams
- Victoria – still undecided
- Western Australia – Nicola Johnson & Aaron Peet
- ACT – Andrew Katelaris & Michelle Stanvic
- NT – Kelly-Anne Hibbert & Lance Lawrence
Voters don’t need to be in fear of the stigma or losing their job in the privacy of the voting booth when they write 1 next to the Cannabis leaf. Then you can choose your own preferences to send a clear message to the government policy makers. It’s a private and peaceful protest for the personal use of pot.
We’re looking for people to join the volunteers group and let us know if you can help during the federal election in your state, on election day but also in the pre poll booths. It can be a fun day!
Please join the Facebook group. Volunteers 2022 Legalise Cannabis Australia | Facebook
Any donations are greatly needed and appreciated and enable us to run more candidates…legalise.org.au
Michael Balderstone
President, Nimbin HEMP Embassy, Legalise Cannabis Australia (Formerly Australian HEMP Party) & Nimbin MardiGrass
51 Cullen Street
Nimbin NSW 2480
Phone: (02) 66890326 or 0472 760236
“The war on drugs seems to be all about who gets to profit from our pain relief, a truly sick business.”
Click here to receive our weekly email the HEMP HEADLINES, keeping you in touch with local and global news in the world of cannabis.
Embassy HEADLINES Issue 504
Kath Noneofyourbusiness Cannabis News, News
TOP STORIES
Closing 1 April – Petition [Victorian residents only] Review roadside cannabis testing laws
MardiGrass postponed following recent floods
Mardigrass Celebrates 30 Year Anniversary With A Feature Documentary
AUSTRALIA/NZ
Tasmania to review hemp act as stakeholders say rules are too strict
TGA unveils details of changes to medicinal cannabis quality, packaging and labelling requirements
Cannabis seedlings weeded out of NZ Parliament grounds
Australia A “Laggard” On Hemp
Specialist firm urges TGA to rethink position on delta-8 THC
NORTH AMERICA
New Mexico Signs Marijuana Agreements With Tribes Days Ahead Of Legal Sales Launch
Senators Urge Biden Attorney General To Respect Indian Tribes’ Marijuana Policies
In reversal, Ontario cannabis regulator to allow white-label retail deals
Where to Buy Legal Weed in Las Vegas
Majority of New York Voters Oppose Prioritizing Licenses for Cannabis Offenders
Washington Officials Step Up Push For Federal Marijuana Banking Reform Following String Of Deadly Robberies
WORLD
Dr Reddy’s Entrance Into Cannabis Industry Likely To Bring More Indian Big-Pharma Investment
Europe Raises THC Levels For Hemp Food Products In Major Breakthrough For Industry
Portugal: Exports of cannabis flowers increased by 566% in 2021
Isle of Man pharmacy to trial dispensing medicinal cannabis
The Intersection of Cannabis Medicine & Vaginal Health
POLITICS & LAW
New NORML Report Provides Policymakers with Guidance on ‘Best Practices’ for Regulating Adult-Use Marijuana Markets
US: Fewer Federal Offenders Charged with Marijuana-Related Crimes in 2021
How Existing Global Drug Conventions Provide A Pathway To End Cannabis Prohibition
Another Push For UN To Deschedule Cannabis
You Can Risk Death Penalty For Cannabis In These Countries
Ahead of House vote – why can’t the US bring itself to legalise marijuana?
BUSINESS & INDUSTRY
Brooke Shields Joins Prospect Farms as Chief Brand Officer, Board Director, Investor
Cannabis company that DEA is allowing to grow for research purposes to list shares on Nasdaq
Black farmers see new opportunities in the budding industrial hemp industry
Positive Drug Tests for US Workers Reportedly Hit 20-Year High
HISTORY & CULTURE
Weedmaps To Roll Out New Docu-Series That Celebrates Cannabis Culture In Four Major U.S. Cities
Hunter S. Thompson, Gonzo Journalism, & Modern-Day Cannabis Culture
How a traitorous notion stalled mankind’s most precious natural ally
Problems Blamed on Cannabis That Actually Have Nothing to Do with Cannabis
EVENTS
CAMPAIGNS
Submissions close 24 March: Your chance to tell Canberra what you think about vaping laws
Legalise Cannabis Australia is ready to roll for the federal election
Ready to change the conversation about drugs? Registration for StoryLab 2022 is now open, and you’re invited.
Join Legalise Cannabis! Join the federal and/or state party at legalisecannabis.org.au
FUNDRAISERS
‘End Evidence-Free RDT’ Whole Bus Ad For NSW
Donations For the Legal Fees of Mitchell Rice
PETITIONS
Closing 1 April – Petition [Victorian residents only] Review roadside cannabis testing laws
Unharm’s Legalise Cannabis Petition
End discrimination against medicinal cannabis patients in Australian drug driving laws
Imprisoned for Healing the “Incurable” with Medicinal Cannabis Therapy. Drop Alan’s Charges
RESEARCH
Global Drug Survey 2022
University of New South Wales: Cannabis experiences in the ACT
Monash University & UOW – Researchers Seek To Further Understand The Effects Of Cannabis
Nimbin MardiGrass postponed until September 2022
Kath Noneofyourbusiness Cannabis News, Media Releases
MEDIA RELEASE… March 27 2022
NIMBIN’S 30TH MARDIGRASS POSTPONED UNTIL SEPTEMBER 16, 17, 18.
Nimbin’s annual first weekend in May MardiGrass cannabis law reform protest and gathering has been postponed. The new dates are September 16, 17 and 18.
“Because of the flood damage on the roads especially but other reasons like Nimbins water supply is still severely limited, and the big wet and landslips are still taking their toll on the community. It’s just too soon,” said Michael Balderstone, president of the MOB, MardiGrass Organising Body.
“So it will be a spring planting ceremony instead of a soggy harvest festival.”
We need the Town Hall and the Nimbin Showgrounds to be free for the weekend and we were lucky to squeeze in as Nimbin is busy in September. The Annual Nimbin Show is on the last weekend and we appreciate they are letting us have MardiGrass the weekend before. The World Cup Poetry Event is on the first weekend and Nimbin Fashion Show the second, both annual events also.
The MardiGrass program for this years 30th anniversary was pretty much sorted for May but this will give us more time for the historical display we’re planning. So anyone with photos or movies of early MardiGrass protests please get in touch, especially from the nineties.
Most people involved in this years event have confirmed they will be available for September and we expect the program to just get better between now and then. Meanwhile the ground will hopefully dry up for the Hemp Olympix events and Legalise Cannabis will get a huge vote in the election and the new PM Albo will be forced to finally listen and we will be allowed to grow our own weed and the mean saliva testing will be scrapped in favour of sensible sobriety tests.
Big apologies from the MOB to anyone who’s travel plans have been upset by the change of dates. The spring planting ceremony will be awesome though. It’s gotta get legal soon!
Michael Balderstone
President Nimbin HEMP Embassy & Legalise Cannabis Australia (Formerly HEMP Party)
51 Cullen st, Nimbin, NSW 2480
0266891842 or 0472760236
hempembassy.net & nimbinmardigrass.com
legalise.org.au – please join…the law is the real crime
MARDIGRASS CELEBRATES 30 YEAR ANNIVERSARY WITH A FEATURE DOCUMENTARY
Kath Noneofyourbusiness Events, Media Releases
NIMBIN MARDIGRASS 30 YEARS PROTESTING FOR CANNABIS LAW REFORM IN AUSTRALIA!
Local residents of Nimbin have experienced the war on drugs more severely than most communities in Australia.
To put the devastating consequences of the war on drugs on public display, Nimbin locals organised a drug law reform rally in the early 90’s.
Named “MardiGrass” the rally turned into an annual event, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
“You’ve made a wonderful thing [film] and something fantastic to celebrate the 30 years.” – Michael Balderstone – President, Nimbin Hemp Embassy
The filmmakers visited Nimbin leading up to the 2021 event and interviewed many organisers, volunteers as well as participants.
Many have contributed with video footage from previous events, including the very early days and the film brings them together to give everyone a feel of the spirit and atmosphere that MardiGrass creates.
The film is now available to watch for free of charge at the Cannabis Broadcasting Network.
https://cannabisbroadcasting.com.au/mardigrass/
MardiGrass’s heartfelt thanks to Krisztian Panczel and the Cannabis Broadcasting Network!
30th MardiGrass Postponed!
Kath Noneofyourbusiness Events

Due to the recent floods in the Northern Rivers, and the widespread damage to roads and infrastructure, the 30th MardiGrass Protestival will be postponed until 16-18 September 2022.
Embassy HEADLINES Issue 503
Kath Noneofyourbusiness Cannabis News, News
TOP STORIES
Due to the recent floods in the Northern Rivers, and the widespread damage to roads and infrastructure, the 30th MardiGrass Protestival will be postponed until 16-18 September 2022.
Fundraiser: ‘End Evidence-Free RDT’ Whole Bus Ad For NSW
AUSTRALIA/NZ
Price warning as pot producers prepare over-the-counter CBD products for 2023
Cannabis advocate causes stir with domain name campaign
‘It’s not legal in Australia’: TGA boss pulls no punches on delta-8 THC
NORTH AMERICA
Canada proposes hike in purchase limit for cannabis drinks, but low THC cap to remain
Illegal drugs should be decriminalized, Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council members say
New Hampshire Lawmakers Approve State-Run Marijuana Legalization Bill With Amendments
Pennsylvania Senator Pushing For Hemp In Animal Feed
Black and Hispanic Cannabis Entrepreneurs In Oakland Are Facing A Harsh Reality After Years Of Promises
Arkansas medical marijuana sales surpass $21 million in February
South Dakota Governor Signs Handful of Medical Cannabis Bills
Utah bans smokable hemp and CBD in food
Washington Dispensary Worker Fatally Shot During Robbery
Maryland Lawmakers Approve Millions In Funding To Implement Marijuana Legalization If Reform Is Enacted
WORLD
International hemp federation announces interim board, and an ambitious mission
Rwanda Begins Cannabis Production
Hemp called ‘golden opportunity’ for Peru, but progress is lacking
Zambian Reserve Army Annexes Land For Cannabis Plantations
HEALTH
Hunger signals, including those from endogenous cannabinoids, mapped in the brain
Clinical research: cannabidiol as effective as antipsychotic meds with fewer side effects
People who live with Tourette syndrome experience a reduction in tics when using cannabis
UK Project Twenty21 Medical Cannabis Price Hike On Hold
Australian GPs opposed to OTC medicinal cannabis but most agree it’s safer than opioids
POLITICS & LAW
How ‘magic mushrooms’ could follow in the footsteps of cannabis
American Basketball Star Brittney Griner’s Cannabis Arrest In Russia Prompts Top U.S. Officials To Speak Out
Social Equity Policies Could Shape Diversity In The Legal Cannabis Industry
USA: Federal Bill Would Instruct UN to Deschedule Cannabis
UK police are arresting cannabis patients with legal prescriptions
BUSINESS & INDUSTRY
USA: Fewer Private Sector Employers Engaging in Drug Testing
Crypto Cannabis Club Brings Together NFTs and Premium Flower
Where is medical marijuana the most expensive in the U.S.? Where is it the cheapest?
Melbourne LGA to conduct feasibility study into setting up a medicinal cannabis business
EVENTS
CAMPAIGNS
Submissions close 24 March: Your chance to tell Canberra what you think about vaping laws
Legalise Cannabis Australia is ready to roll for the federal election
Ready to change the conversation about drugs? Registration for StoryLab 2022 is now open, and you’re invited.
Join Legalise Cannabis! Join the federal and/or state party at legalisecannabis.org.au
FUNDRAISERS
‘End Evidence-Free RDT’ Whole Bus Ad For NSW
Donations For the Legal Fees of Mitchell Rice
PETITIONS
Unharm’s Legalise Cannabis Petition
End discrimination against medicinal cannabis patients in Australian drug driving laws
Imprisoned for Healing the “Incurable” with Medicinal Cannabis Therapy. Drop Alan’s Charges
RESEARCH
Global Drug Survey 2022
University of New South Wales: Cannabis experiences in the ACT
Monash University & UOW – Researchers Seek To Further Understand The Effects Of Cannabis
Embassy HEADLINES Issue 502
Kath Noneofyourbusiness Cannabis News, News
TOP STORIES
Trailer: MardiGrass – 30 years of Protest for Cannabis Law Reform
AUSTRALIA/NZ
ODC pledges to review cost model following launch of single licence scheme
Medicinal cannabis being used by tens of thousands of Australians as access becomes easier
Cannatrek Kicks Off Medical Cannabis Facility Construction
Bid to increase veterinary access to medicinal cannabis hits buffers
Australia Needs Drug Decriminalisation, So Why Won’t Anthony Albanese Support It?
Police union figures charged with corruption, influencing witnesses
INCB launches international cannabis scheduling survey
NORTH AMERICA
Online cannabis retail regulations in Alberta highlight fight against illicit websites
Oregon counties declare ‘state of emergency,’ halt hemp licensing
Competing Georgia medical marijuana production bills advance
New York’s Draft Conditional Retail Regulations Raise Practical Concerns
California’s Cannabis Market: ‘A Recipe for Disaster’
Los Angeles’ First Cannabis Czar Cat Packer Steps Down
WORLD
German Courts Continue To Prosecute Hundreds Of Cannabis Businesses Despite Looming Legalisation
Cannabis NFTs in South Africa: The Next Frontier for Inequality?
Israel: Constitution Committee discusses eliminating offense of personal use of cannabis from criminal record
U.K. Lawyer Dons Vegan Hemp Wig As Alternative To Horsehair, Disrupting Centuries-Long Tradition
UK medical cannabis trial to begin ‘ASAP’
Guyana sees hemp’s potential to bolster struggling agriculture sector
SCIENCE & TECH
Stoned lobsters, zebrafish, CBD-averse caterpillars, and the role of cannabinoid-interacting receptors
Organic Soil Innovation Making Medical Cannabis Greener
Review: Influence of Cannabis on Driving Performance Less Significant Than Alcohol
USA: Federal Agency Proposes Oral Fluid Testing for Transportation Industry
Is Marijuana A Depressant?
POLITICS & LAW
Russian Oligarch Who Invested In U.S. Politics, Marijuana Industry Is Indicted
USA: $1.9M in cannabis intercepted after UPS staff smell something skunky
USA: Prison-to-pot farms confront legacy of war on drugs
BUSINESS & INDUSTRY
Mike Tyson’s cannabis brand is making ear-shaped weed gummies
USA: State Treasurers Discuss Marijuana Banking Challenges At Annual Conference With Congressional Officials
EVENTS
CAMPAIGNS
Submissions close 24 March: Your chance to tell Canberra what you think about vaping laws
Legalise Cannabis Australia is ready to roll for the federal election
Ready to change the conversation about drugs? Registration for StoryLab 2022 is now open, and you’re invited.
Join Legalise Cannabis! Join the federal and/or state party at legalisecannabis.org.au
FUNDRAISERS
Donations For the Legal Fees of Mitchell Rice
PETITIONS
Unharm’s Legalise Cannabis Petition
End discrimination against medicinal cannabis patients in Australian drug driving laws
Imprisoned for Healing the “Incurable” with Medicinal Cannabis Therapy. Drop Alan’s Charges
RESEARCH
Global Drug Survey 2022
University of New South Wales: Cannabis experiences in the ACT
Monash University & UOW – Researchers Seek To Further Understand The Effects Of Cannabis
Embassy HEADLINES Issue 501
Kath Noneofyourbusiness Cannabis News, News
TOP STORIES
Drive Change launches letter-writing campaign to persuade MPs of the need for law reform
New Zealand to introduce random roadside drug testing
AUSTRALIA/NZ
New Zealand’s first cannabis flower products hit pharmacy shelves
Patten eyes ‘Plan B’ as drugs bill looks set to fail
‘Easy prey’: How state of WA took a man’s house over five cannabis plants
What the cannabis industry can learn from the vape sector
StoryLab is a national program preparing people to bring new perspectives to Australian media reporting about drugs
NORTH AMERICA
Minnesota Medical Cannabis Flower Sales Commence
Key GOP Kansas Lawmaker Files Medical Marijuana Legalization Bill In Senate
Oklahoma House Unveils Plan to Combat Illicit Cannabis
Here’s what changed for medical cannabis in Utah in the 2022 legislative session
California Cannabis Department Proposes New Regulatory Changes
Missouri House takes up marijuana legalization in push to sink ballot question
Alberta, Canada to Allow Cannabis Delivery and Consumption at Concerts
South Dakota Could Be The Next State With Legalized Adult-Use Cannabis
New York: Governor Signs Legislation Expediting Adult-Use Cannabis Production and Manufacturing
New York hemp farmers can grow marijuana under 2-year program
WORLD
Moroccan government ratifies cannabis bill for medical and industrial purposes
Israel moves to normalize CBD; 2-year path to market expected
South Africa’s Freshest Members-Only Cannabis Clubs Emerge
Portuguese trade group asks government to suspend hemp amendment
Argentina to revisit unfinished medical cannabis regulations
Italian consortium adds biomass facilities in expansion of whole-plant strategy
Costa Rica just legalized medical marijuana. Here’s what the new law allows
HEALTH
People who smoke cannabis may be at risk of ageing faster, study warns
No medical difference between natural and synthetic CBD, researchers say
Clinical experts publish advice on prescribing medicinal cannabis to patients with epilepsy
Marijuana, metabolism & the munchies: does cannabis cause weight gain?
POLITICS & LAW
Americans Want Congress To Pass Marijuana Banking Bill, American Bankers Association Poll Finds
What Happens If You Try To Sneak Edibles Onto A Plane?
BUSINESS & INDUSTRY
HYTN starts selling cannabis drinks to Australian patients
CBD drugmaker GW Pharmaceuticals didn’t violate extraction patent
CAMPAIGNS
Legalise Cannabis Australia is ready to roll for the federal election
Ready to change the conversation about drugs? Registration for StoryLab 2022 is now open, and you’re invited.
Join Legalise Cannabis! Join the federal and/or state party at legalisecannabis.org.au
FUNDRAISERS
Donations For the Legal Fees of Mitchell Rice
PETITIONS
Unharm’s Legalise Cannabis Petition
End discrimination against medicinal cannabis patients in Australian drug driving laws
Imprisoned for Healing the “Incurable” with Medicinal Cannabis Therapy. Drop Alan’s Charges
RESEARCH
Global Drug Survey 2022
University of New South Wales: Cannabis experiences in the ACT
Monash University & UOW – Researchers Seek To Further Understand The Effects Of Cannabis
Embassy HEADLINES Issue 500
Kath Noneofyourbusiness Cannabis News, News