The Help End Marijuana Prohibition Party says it can’t get any WA candidates to stand at the federal election because they’re scared of being pinged by the cops.
President Michael Balderstone and Tayla Moylan, 18, are listed as HEMP’s WA senate candidates, but both live in NSW.
“No-one was keen to put their hand up as a candidate when the WA party branch was formed in Perth a few weeks ago and I am happy to give WA residents a chance to have a say without anyone risking a police visit,” Mr Balderstone says.
“I have no job to lose—am on the old-age pension—and being open about my cannabis use, and coming from Nimbin where I am already judged by many as a druggie, have little to lose.
“I only realised one did not have to live in the state to run because of Julian Assange running from London.”
He says the party’s decision to go online has seen a surge in people signing up, with a HEMP registered in every Australian state.
“Cannabis consumers must be allowed to grow their own supply,” Mr Balderstone said.
“We are not criminals—the law is the crime, and anyway it is foolish to not regulate and tax the industry.
“Legal cannabis could potentially make billions in tax revenue and save billions in expensive law enforcement, policing, gaols, health and social costs, etc.”
He says there are around 90 HEMP members in WA, 10 in the recently formed Perth branch.
HEMP was formed in 1993.
by STEPHEN POLLOCK
Perth Voice Interactive 
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