The Legalise Cannabis Party (LCP) is calling for urgent cannabis law reform in Australia, highlighting the devastating impact of prohibition on young people, particularly Aboriginal youth. LCP NSW Senate candidate and lawyer, Miles Hunt, argues that criminalising cannabis users fuels a cycle of disadvantage.
“Statistics show that early contact with the criminal justice system often leads to ongoing involvement”, said Hunt. “By legalising cannabis, we can reduce the number of young people entering the system in the first place and help break this cycle”. Michael Balderstone, President of the Legalise Cannabis Party and long-time advocate for drug law reform, has witnessed from his home town Nimbin, first-hand how prohibition leads to unnecessary incarceration, particularly for Indigenous Australians.
“One-third of adults in jail in Australia are Aboriginal, and the numbers are even worse for youth—100% in the Northern Territory and 60% in NSW”, Balderstone said. “How’s the future looking there? Are we really going to keep investing in child prisons instead of real solutions?” Balderstone criticised the current system, pointing out that the cost of locking up a child is close to a million dollars a year.
“God, couldn’t we be so much more creative with all that money rather than locking them up in a criminal university—otherwise known as a private, profit-making prison?” he said. “I think it would be much healthier in every way for Aboriginal families to be living on country rather than in the burbs”. LCP argues that rather than pushing young people into a broken system, Australia should invest in community-based programs that offer real opportunities.
Balderstone also questioned the stigma surrounding cannabis, arguing that many Indigenous Australians use it as a safer alternative to alcohol or methamphetamine. “So many blackfellas I know love their nyarndi. It keeps them off the grog or meth and keeps their fury at bay. It helps people think and settles anger”, he said. “It could be in the jails. They could even be growing it in the jails”. With growing public support for cannabis law reform, LCP continues to push for policies that prioritise harm reduction, social justice and economic common sense.
To request an interview or for further information, please contact Michael or Miles:
Ph: 0472 760 236
Email: [email protected]