Legalise Cannabis Party Priorities

President, Legalise Cannabis Australia (Formerly Australian HEMP Party)

As the President of the Nimbin HEMP Embassy, Nimbin Mardigrass and the Legalise Cannabis Party, Michael Balderstone has been a dedicated advocate for cannabis law reform for decades. He is a highly prominent and long-standing figure in the Australian cannabis law reform movement. Through his activism and leadership, he has tirelessly championed harm reduction, education and sustainable cannabis policy reform. He’s also been a strong supporter of community initiatives and local events, bringing people together to share knowledge and challenge stigma.

Michael abandoned a successful career as a stockbroker to look for a deeper meaning in his life. He settled near Nimbin over thirty years ago where his commitment to the Cannabis cause has made him a well-known figure, not only in Nimbin but across Australia. He’s passionate about injustice in all forms but in particular the war on drugs, saying drug use should be a health issue and not a fight over who gets to profit from our pain.

"I discovered fifty years ago cannabis stopped my migraines and I have loved it ever since. Then once I learnt about the history of the plant and its prohibition I felt compelled to try and raise awareness about the drug war. The more I learn about Cannabis the more outraged I am about its illegality."

MLC Legalise Cannabis Party (NSW)

Jeremy Buckingham led the Upper House ticket for the Legalise Cannabis Party in the March 2023 NSW State election. He is committed to bringing about progressive drug law reform, legalising cannabis, fixing the broken RDT system and growing the hemp industry. He is also focused on ensuring that we protect civil liberties, our environment and enact policies that look after the disadvantaged in our society.

MLC Victoria, Legalise Cannabis Party

David Ettershank was elected as a Legalise Cannabis Member of the Legislation Council in the 2022 Victorian election. He is determined to see cannabis legalised, de-stigmatised, and its many benefits recognised for all adult Victorian consumers.

Legalise Cannabis Party

Andrew Fenwick is twice a Legalise Cannabis Party election candidate and current member of the party’s Federal Policy Sub-committee. Now focusing on the federal impediments to cannabis legalisation, national drug law reform and the future of hemp agriculture in Australia.

Legalise Cannabis Party

Miles Hunt ran as the Legalise Cannabis Party's lead NSW Senate candidate at the last federal election. He is currently on the Legalise Cannabis policy committee. He was the co-founder of the renowned drug harm minimisation charity, Unharm, and has dedicated his life to championing drug decriminalisation and legalisation, with a particular focus on medicinal and adult-use cannabis, pill testing and sniffer dog reform.

Legalise Cannabis Party

Fiona was first elected to Victoria’s State Parliament in 2014 and re-elected for a second term in 2018. During those eight years she was a champion for social justice and cannabis law reform. She established a medicinal cannabis taskforce in the first major attempt to fix the ridiculous Roadside Drug Testing laws and then was the driving force behind the Inquiry into the Use of Cannabis in Victoria. And she was the first political party leader to admit using cannabis regularly to relax!

MLC Legalise Cannabis Party (WA)

Brian is an Australian politician and medical practitioner with over 40 years of experience, spanning many continents and cultures. His passion is making this world a better place for our children and grandchildren. Born in Malaysia to Scottish parents, he received his education at Scotch College in Perth before earning his medical degree at the University of Dundee, Scotland. Brian’s medical career has seen him practice across the globe—from the cutting-edge hospitals of Germany, the Soviet Union, the UK, and Hong Kong, to his eventual return home to Western Australia in 2008, where he established a specialist GP practice in the Perth Hills. Since being elected in 2021 as leader of the Legalise Cannabis WA Party, Dr Walker has been a strong voice for reform, challenging outdated laws and advocating for modern, science-backed policies. With his deep understanding of medicine and health, he brings a fresh, holistic perspective to the political arena, focusing on improving the medical, mental, social, and economic wellbeing of all Australians.

MLC Victoria, Legalise Cannabis Party

Rachel Payne MP is a Member of the Victorian Legislative Council, representing the Legalise Cannabis party of Victoria. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy and qualifications in Sociology and Politics as well as extensive experience in leadership, advocacy and campaigning gained through executive, management, policy and research roles for organisations such as Eros Association, Family Court Australia and Centrelink. Rachel is also an acclaimed performance artist, touring as Freckles Blue in Paris and London. An advocate for women’s rights, equality, inclusivity, and social and community development, Rachel is also actively involved in the LGBTIQ+ community. Rachel believes that cannabis law reform is well overdue. She is keen to drive the conversation around the role of cannabis as a catalyst for new economic opportunities, environmental ingenuity and creation.