Cannabis political parties
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Cannabis political parties are generally single-issue parties that exist to oppose the laws against cannabis.
Australia
In the 1970s, J.J. McRoach ran for parliament as candidate for the
The Hemp Party was founded in 1993 and has a constitution, which describes an organisation with the aim of endorsing candidates to contest elections to the Federal Parliament of Australia. The
Several applications later the AEC has assessed the party as meeting the test of being a political party under s4 of the Electoral Act. On 17 June 2010 the delegate determined that the party's application had passed its initial consideration for registration and the application was advertised for public objection on 23 June 2010. The issue of writs on 19 July 2010 for the federal elections meant that no further action could be taken on this application until the final return of all outstanding writs on 17 September 2010. No objections to the registration of the HEMP Party were received. The AEC assessed the party's application against the technical requirements in s126(2) of the Electoral Act. The application meets the technical requirements in s126(2). The delegate of the Australian Electoral Commission determined that the HEMP Party should therefore be registered under the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918.[4]
In 2013, the Drug Law Reform Party successfully registered with the Australian Electoral Commission, with over 500 members as required. Although the party represented the liberalisation of drug laws in general, cannabis was a primary focus. The party officially deregistered on 31 July 2017.[5]
The Legalise Cannabis Western Australia Party was founded in June 2020 in the state of Western Australia. It won two seats on the Western Australian Legislative Council in the March 2021 election.
The
The Legalise Marijuana Party has applied for registration with the VEC in the lead-up to the 2022 Victorian state election.[7] Legalise Cannabis Australia has questioned the party's legitimacy, noting that the party has no website or list of public policies.[8]
Canada
In
Saskatchewan
The Saskatchewan Marijuana Party[9] functions in a politically independent fashion, and does not hold any formal association to any other political organizations federally or provincially. On April 20 of 2006, the party submitted their petition of registration to elections Saskatchewan. The petition was successful and the party was fully registered as a political party in the province of Saskatchewan as of 7 June 2006.
The party leader is currently Nathan Holowaty. Holowaty has referred to himself as a socially responsible libertarian and believes in the fullscale legalization of cannabis. Holowaty has a degree in political studies from the University of Saskatchewan.
British Columbia
In British Columbia, the British Columbia Marijuana Party works independently from the Marijuana Party of Canada.
Quebec
In
Denmark
Political parties in
Liberal Alliance are in favor of cannabis legalization. This is the case for both medical and recreational. "I want a state regulated sale of cannabis, like the state regulates alcohol and cigarettes. That way, we have a better control of which drugs are on the market, and that they aren't sold to kids." - Christina Egelund.
After the incident at Freetown Christiania, where the police destroyed all the stalls, and cleared them of cannabis, the Danish Social Liberal Party have chanced stance on this issue. They now want a three-year trial, where you can buy state regulated cannabis across the country.
Red–Green Alliance wants to legalize cannabis sold and produced by the state. "It will secure that criminals can't make money off the import, nor make money off the illegal sale of cannabis. The money, the state makes off the sale, shall be used on information, treatment for the addicts and welfare benefits, instead of giving the money to the criminals" - Rune Lund.[10]
The
France
In France, the party Cannabis Sans Frontière (Cannabis without borders) led by Farid Ghehiouèche has run in several elections.
Greece
As of 2015, there have been ongoing attempts for the establishment of the Cannabis Party of Greece, but they haven't resulted in the creation of a registered political party yet.[11]
Israel
In Israel, the Ale Yarok (Green Leaf) party participated in the past six elections and came close to winning a Knesset seat.
Ireland
In
The Irish political party, People Before Profit, support the legalisation of cannabis for medical and general use. The party has stated that it would, "legislate for the use of medicinal cannabis for pain management of chronic conditions" and medical cannabis be "researched and made available as an evidence-based option for health care providers and patients". As well as stating that it wants the "non-commercialised legalisation of cannabis to be regulated by a new state body and dispensed via designated stores".[12]
Kenya
In Kenya the Roots party by Prof. George Wajakoya enacted a bill to legalize marijuana for export, medicinal and recreational purpose.
New Zealand
In
The Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand said that if it formed a government in the 2017 election it would legalise cannabis. "Under its proposal, people would be able to legally grow and possess marijuana for personal use". The party said it would also "urgently amend the law so sick people using medicinal marijuana were not penalised".[13][14] The party negotiated its involvement in the Sixth Labour Government of New Zealand, which included securing a referendum on the legalisation of cannabis in New Zealand. The legalisation of cannabis in New Zealand was narrowly rejected in the 2020 New Zealand cannabis referendum.
The former leader of the
Norway
On 22 September 2009, the political party DnC or Det norske Cannabispartiet was registered in Stavanger by Even Ganja Helland and Sigbjørn Eskeland, both from Jørpeland, Norway.[citation needed]
Philippines
In the Philippines, the Medical Cannabis Party, also known as (MedCann), is the first medical cannabis party in Asia. Launched on April 20, the party has established chapters in major cities across the Philippines.The party supports industrial hemp, cannabis in medicinal practices, and the eradication of criminal records of those with possession charges.
Spain
In
Between 2007 and 2021, the party RCN-NOK was active only in the Navarra region. After 2021, Luz Verde, a new nationwide cannabis political party, was created.
South Africa
The nationally registered political party Iqela Lentsango: The Dagga Party of South Africa is South Africa's first and foremost Cannabis legalization group. This group are also activists and supporters of people arrested, charged and/or imprisoned for the possession of dagga (the South Africa word for Cannabis) and related charges.[16][17]
Dr. Mario Oriani-Ambrosini, a Member of Parliament in South Africa, he was diagnosed with cancer and subsequently began lobbying for the legalization of medical marijuana. He went so far as to address the entire Parliament sitting in Cape Town with an impassioned plea for the Members of Parliament to consider the legalization of medical marijuana. He died shortly after this but thanks to him and other activists, South Africa seems to be heading in the direction of eventually legalizing cannabis for medical use.[18][19]
United Kingdom
In the
The party drew inspiration from the performances of
By the time of the 2001 general election the party had experience of campaigns in two House of Commons by-elections and various local government elections. In the general election the party contested 13 constituencies and their share of the vote ranged from 1.1% to 2.5%.
In January 2004, cannabis prohibition in the UK was relaxed. Cannabis had been a class B substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. It became a class C substance, and many people saw this change as virtual 'decriminalisation'. It was a long way short of full legalisation. It has recently returned to a class B substance.
The LCA contested 21 constituencies in the
The de-registered, Legalise Cannabis Alliance, adopted a new identity as CLEAR - Cannabis Law Reform, in 2011. Upon this identity change there was also a change of policy, spokespersons, logo, emblems, fliers and aims. CLEAR was a registered political party from 2011 to 2013. The organisation now works as a lobby group.
Since 2016, the
United States
Active cannabis political parties in the United States include the Grassroots—Legalize Cannabis Party, the Legal Marijuana Now Party, and the U.S. Marijuana Party.
Both the
Other cannabis political parties that were active in the past have included the
Legal Marijuana Now Party is credited with motivating the Democratic Party to prioritize cannabis legalization in Minnesota, in 2023.[26]
U.S. cannabis political party history
1960s–1970s
The Youth International Party, formed in 1967 to advance the counterculture of the 1960s, often ran campaigns for public offices. The Yippie flag is a five-pointed star superimposed with a cannabis leaf.[27]
1980s–1990s
- The Grassroots Party was founded in Minnesota in 1986 and ran numerous candidates for state and federal offices. The party was active in Iowa, Minnesota, and Vermont. Grassroots Party ran candidates in every presidential election from 1988 to 2000.[28][29][30][31]
- The Legal Marijuana Now Party was established in Minnesota in 1998.[32]
- In 1998, an independent candidate, Edward Forchion, ran for Congress from New Jersey as the Legalize Marijuana Party candidate. Since then, Forchion has run several times for a number of offices, under that banner.[33]
- The Marijuana Reform Party was established in New York, in 1998, and ran Gubernatorial candidates there in both 1998 and 2002.[34]
2000s–2010s
- The U.S. Marijuana Party, organized in 2002, promotes electoral involvement by marijuana legalization supporters. In 2012, the group endorsed Libertarian Gary Johnson for President.
- The Anti-prohibition Party ran candidates for office in New York State for one election cycle in 2010.[35]
- In 2010 and 2012, independent candidate Cris Ericson was on the ballot for multiple offices in Vermont under the label of U.S. Marijuana.[35]
- The Grassroots—Legalize Cannabis Party was formed in Minnesota in 2014.[36]
- In 2016, the
2020s
- In 2020, the United States Senator received 190,154 votes, more than any other such third-party candidate in the nation.[39]
- In 2022, Nebraska Legal Marijuana NOW ran more candidates for statewide constitutional offices than the Nebraska Democratic Party nominated.[40] Their candidate for Attorney General, Larry Bolinger, received 188,648 votes, more than 30 percent, the highest share for a statewide Nebraska candidate running outside the two major parties in 86 years, when independent George Norris was reelected to U.S. Senate.[41] Bolinger was one of the top two third party vote-getters in the US, in 2022.[42]
- The Legal Marijuana Now Party is credited with motivating the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party to prioritize the passage of a cannabis legalization law in the state, in 2023.[26]
U.S. states with active cannabis political parties
Iowa
In Iowa: the Legal Marijuana Now Party.[37]
Minnesota
In
Nebraska
In Nebraska: the Legal Marijuana NOW Party.[43]
New Hampshire
In
New Jersey
In New Jersey: the Legalize Marijuana Party.[33]
Vermont
In Vermont: the U.S. Marijuana Party.[35]
See also
- Legality of cannabis by country
- Cannabis rights
- Drug liberalization
- Drug policy reform
References
- ISBN 978-0-908200-00-9
- ^ @AdamBandt (December 16, 2021). "To everyone who's just wrapping up Year 12: today, it doesn't matter what your ATAR is, or what your next plans are…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Help End Marijuana Prohibition: HEMP Party". Australianhempparty.com. Retrieved 2011-04-20.
- ^ "AEC redirection page : Canberra ACT 2600". Aec.gov.au. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
- ^ "Drug Law Reform Australia Voluntary Deregistration" (PDF). Aec.gov.au. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
- ^ Cornell, Karie (23 July 2020). "Queenslanders Propagate New Cannabis Political Party". Pondering Pot.
- ^ "Application for registration by Legalise Marijuana Party". vec.vic.gov.au. Archived from the original on 7 September 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ Lane, Martin (23 August 2022). "Legalise Cannabis Australia ponders complaint to Victorian Electoral Commission over 'rival' party". Cannabiz.
- ^ See The Saskatchewan Marijuana Party Archived 2008-02-25 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "OVERBLIK Det mener partierne om legalisering af hash". Dr.dk. 20 October 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
- ^ "Ιδρύεται το... "Κόμμα Κάνναβης Ελλάδας"!". Zougla.gr. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
- ^ "Drugs Policy". pbp.ie. People Before Profit. 6 January 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
- ^ Legal cannabis in NZ? Green Party offers green light to pot smokers. Stuff (NZ). Last updated 9 December 2016. Retrieved 13 December 2016.
- ^ Drug Law Reform Policy Archived 2016-12-20 at the Wayback Machine. The Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand (official website). Retrieved 13 December 2016.
- ^ "Let Mutu Speak! - Brash | ACT New Zealand". Archived from the original on 2012-07-11. Retrieved 2014-03-20.
- ^ "Log into Facebook". Facebook.com. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
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: Cite uses generic title (help) - ^ "#DaggaSpringbok: The Dagga Party of South Africa enters the fray". Roodepoortrecord.co.za. 5 September 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
- ^ Paul Herman. "IFP welcomes 'giant step forward' for medical cannabis use". News24.com. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
- ^ "Ill MP to introduce dagga bill". Iol.co.za. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
- ^ "Home". cista.org.
- ^ Cannabis is Safer than Alcohol [De-registered 03/11/16]. The Electoral Commission. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
- ^ "Liberal Democrats call for a legalised cannabis market". Liberal Democrats. 12 March 2016. Archived from the original on 15 March 2016. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
- ^ "Green Party | Caroline Allen: UK drugs legislation 'is failing us all'". Greenparty.org.uk. Retrieved 2016-11-18.
- ^ "Scotland can support people addicted to drugs". Scottish Greens. 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2016-11-18.
- ^ Steinberg, Oliver (October 3, 2016). "Third- or even fourth-party candidates can play key roles". Star Tribune.
- ^ a b Brooks, Jennifer (May 10, 2023). "After law, what's next for state's pot parties? When you fight for a cause, sometimes you win". Star Tribune.
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- ^ Minnesota Secretary of State (November 1988). "Minnesota Election Results 1988, p. 18" (PDF). Minnesota Legislative Reference Library.
- ^ Klein, Patricia A. (June 1993). "Federal Elections 92: Election Results for the U.S. President, the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives, p. 9" (PDF). Federal Election Commission.
- ^ Bickford, Bob (October 7, 1998). "1996 Presidential Election Results by State". Ballot Access News.
- ^ "2000 Official Presidential General Election Results". Federal Election Commission. December 2001.
- ^ Brash, Jim (April 20, 2016). "Q & A with the Legal Marijuana Now Party of Minnesota". The North Star. Archived from the original on May 10, 2017.
- ^ a b Shea, Kevin (April 30, 2016). "NJ Weedman's long, strange trip as marijuana advocate". NJ.com.
- ^ Worth, Robert (November 7, 2002). "The 2002 Elections: Smaller Parties". The New York Times.
- ^ a b c Franklin, Terry (October 5, 2010). "Pro-Cannabis Candidates in the Northeast". Shadow Proof.
- ^ Winger, Richard (June 15, 2014). "Minnesota Candidate Filing Closes". Ballot Access News.
- ^ a b Hanson, Alex (August 25, 2016). "Weekly politics wrap-up: Ballot access in Iowa". Iowa State Daily. Archived from the original on September 15, 2016. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
- ^ a b Stassen-Berger, Rachel E. (August 24, 2016). "Don't like Trump or Clinton? You have choices". Pioneer Press.
- ^ Beaudoin, Dave G. (January 29, 2021). "77 third-party candidates received more votes than the winner's margin of victory in 2020". Ballotpedia.
- Nebraska Examiner.
- ^ Winger, Richard (January 24, 2023). "Legal Marijuana Now Candidate in 2022 Polled Highest Share of Vote in a Statewide Nebraska Race for a Non-Major Party Nominee Since 1936". Ballot Access News.
- ^ Winger, Richard (November 16, 2022). "Three Statewide Minor Party Candidates Exceeded 30% of the Vote in November 2022". Ballot Access News.
- ^ Jordan, Spike (May 12, 2017). "Legalize Marijuana Now advocates petition to get pro-marijuana third-party on the ballot". Scottsbluff Star Herald.
- ^ Steer, Daymond (October 25, 2022). "The Cannabis Party comes to town". The Conway Daily Sun.