These words came from the mouth of none other than the President of the HEMP party, Michael Balderstone, in the main street of Nimbin in front of thousands of onlookers at this year's Mardi Grass. At first glance you might be hit by a solid "WTF?!", but think and look a little closer and you may just penetrate this mystery with relative ease."But the bloody cops are free!" may be the first thought that comes to mind, however from the perspective of many campaigners and advocates in the … [Read more...] about “Free the Cops, Change the Law!”
Cannabis
The Department of Health is Anti Harm-Reduction?
Apparently so.It's been a long time and I shouldn't have left you, without a dope beat to step to, and that...Anyway I have been busy in the background, which somehow or other ended up with me giving evidence to a Senate inquiry into the legalisation of cannabis in Australia. The Senate Economics Reference Committee conducted a public hearing in NSW regarding cannabis in terms of personal choice and community impacts in March, and it has taken me 8 months to put something out about … [Read more...] about The Department of Health is Anti Harm-Reduction?
Ahh, Western Australia.
It's a beautiful place; shame about the incompetence of their state government when it comes to drug policy. Now in a previous article we saw how Western Australia recently changed their more progressive cannabis laws to possibly the most backward in the country. As such, I was under the false impression that ALL of the batshit crazy policy had been expelled by the WA Liberal government. Oh how wrong I was; unfortunately the magnitude of my error was significant. Don't believe me?Your … [Read more...] about Ahh, Western Australia.
Australia21? Meh…next.
The recent political response to the Australia21 report on illicit drug policy in Australia may have seemed positive, but in many ways the report's release amounts to pretty much what we have seen in this country for the last 50 years or so.An opportunity for tough talk on drugs.This may seem surprising given that the report, titled 'The Prohibition of Illicit Drugs is Killing and Criminalising Our Children, and we are letting it happen', takes a lot of its inspiration from the Global … [Read more...] about Australia21? Meh…next.
The cure for cannabis?
I know, I know, it's shocking. Perhaps you thought you, being an occasional cannabis user, or recreational even, didn't need curing. WRONG, wrong and wrong!Luckily, Jan Copeland from the notorious NCPIC (National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre) has the cure for your cannabis dependence. But how to know if you're dependent? Well, Jan has some interesting thoughts on that in a recent interview:JAN COPELAND: There is about 200,000 Australians who use cannabis daily, about 1 … [Read more...] about The cure for cannabis?
The Ace in the Hole
This saying is generally used when describing something held in reserve that, when revealed, will ensure victory. In the context of cannabis the 'ace' appears often when talk of legalisation comes up. For example:RC: "Man, cannabis should be regulated and taxed like alcohol. It's non toxic, can't kill you, and it would reduce alcohol-related issues as well as generate jobs and government revenue!"Prohibitionist: "Firstly, it's illegal. Why? Well that's easy, (HERE COMES THE ACE) it … [Read more...] about The Ace in the Hole
May I introduce…
Dr. Alex Wodak, a rare man in Australia these days. For those of you who haven't heard of him listen closely, and for those who have he probably needs no introduction. According to the St. Vincent's Hospital website Dr. Wodak is a physician and has been Director of the Alcohol and Drug Service, St Vincent’s Hospital since 1982. Major interests include:prevention of HIV among injecting drug users, brief interventions for problem drinkers, prevention of alcohol problems, … [Read more...] about May I introduce…
Flights of fancy – pt. 2
In a world where cannabis was legal, how would things be different? Let’s indulge our imaginations further. It's Thursday night. You've been at high school all day and are spending the remaining part of the evening listening to the nationwide top 40 program."Yes, I love this song!" you say as you move away from your homework and turn the radio up."Coming in again in the top 10 this week is Kerry Patty with her latest hit 'This Friday Night'" drones the host, … [Read more...] about Flights of fancy – pt. 2
Back to the Future please!
If you are living in Western Australia you could be easily forgiven for making this statement. Unfortunately the situation does not involve Michael J. Fox, a cool car, lightning, nor some old genius crackpot scientist, but it may involve some crackpot ideas on drug policy.In case you haven’t heard WA has just had a CANNABIS specific change in their drug policy. A previous post I made on the topic of the illicit status of cannabis in Australia and each state’s respective laws included the … [Read more...] about Back to the Future please!