The party's push for legal pot is winning over more voters than ever, and now it has two upcoming state elections in its sights.
The Legalise Cannabis Party almost doubled its primary vote at the May federal election, Australian Electoral Commission data shows, as party leaders say more voters support law reform around the drug.
The fringe party received 501,421 primary votes — almost twice as many as it attracted at the federal election three years ago, according to party president Michael Balderstone. Its platforms include changing drug driving laws, allowing Australians to grow cannabis, and reducing the cost of medicinal marijuana."Half a million primary votes shows it is a front burner for pot reform," he said."The Queensland senate vote led by solicitor Bernie Bradley got 161,899 primary votes and because at 5.37 per cent he was well over the 4 per cent barrier, we will get electoral funding," he said.
Federally, the party is registered in Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia, with plans to establish in the Northern Territory.There is a push to form a Legalise Cannabis Victoria Party for the Victorian state election in November.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Record support for Legalise Cannabis Australia as candidate races Pauline Hanson for final senate seatA large swing towards the Legalise Cannabis Australia Party in this year&x27;s federal election shows support is growing for drug law reform, with leader Bernie Bradley in competition with One Nation&x27;s Pauline Hanson for the final senate seat.
Read more »
Australia’s ‘jobs for mates’ culture undermines public confidence in our democracy | Yee-Fui NgIf party loyalists are parachuted into bureaucratic positions, we are not getting the most qualified or capable people for the job
Read more »
Greens party open to 43 per cent climate target as a minimum, pushes for ban on new coal projectsThe government would need the support of all 12 Greens in the Senate - plus one upper house crossbencher - to pass any legislation, if the opposition vote against the federal government's upcoming bill on Australia's emission reduction target.
Read more »
‘Heat apocalypse’ warning in western France as thousands flee wildfireNearly 25,000 escape blaze sparked by southern European heatwave that has already killed hundreds of people
Read more »
ANZ is paying for Shayne Elliott’s failureThe playbook at ANZ Banking Group only gets more surreal.
Read more »
My ex-wife had an affair. How can I cope with my anger?Anger gets a bad press, says Philippa Perry, but it’s OK to give vent | Ask Philippa
Read more »