Cannabiz Australia report
Legalise Cannabis WA has announced the first 10 candidates to contest Assembly seats in the state’s March election with more to be confirmed in the coming weeks.
The party said the candidates “bring together a wealth of experience from all walks of life, alongside a firm commitment to the reform of cannabis laws across Western Australia”.
Practising barrister and RAAF veteran Christopher Cole will challenge Labor’s road safety minister David Michael in Balcatta, while in Butler – the seat long-held by attorney general John Quigley – LCWA has endorsed Ramon Grandos, a civil engineer and CEO of a specialist hemp engineering firm.
In Forrestfield, local businessman and graphic designer Steve Emmons will take the fight to Labor’s Stephen Price and the Liberals’ George Tilbury, while David Foley, a young boiler maker and medicinal cannabis advocate, will take on sitting minister Simone McGurk in the port city of Fremantle.
Long-time campaigner and cancer survivor Sam Law will bring her personal experience of cannabis as a medicine to the campaign in Joondalup, while in Kalamunda, experienced nurse Penelope Young will provide voters with a viable alternative to Labor’s Matthew Hughes.
In Midland, aviation mechanic and mother Jane Southworth will fly the flag for sensible drug reform, and in Mindarie, university researcher Lee Hunt will bring first-hand knowledge of the Canadian cannabis system as he challenges Labor’s Mark Folkard.
Farmer and permaculture advocate Aaron Peet will contest Warren-Blackwood, one of the most winnable seats in the state which Labor currently holds with a 2% margin, while rounding out the 10 in West Swan, mining sector manager and ADF veteran Elliot Taylor will take on the treasurer, Rita Saffioti.
In the upper house, sitting MP Dr Brian Walker is at the top of the ticket, followed by Melissa D’Ath, Dr Craig Buchanan and Frances Barns.
It is anticipated that further candidates will be announced for the Assembly over the next two weeks.
Legalise Cannabis WA announces first 10 Assembly candidates for state election
