STATE ELECTION _ MARCH 18TH
DONATE TO HELP HEMP HELP YOU
HELP END MARIJUAN PROHIBITION
Under SAs Electoral Act we can accept individual
donations of up to $10,000
without having to disclose the donors identity.
Send your anonymous donation to our Australian Central Credit Union account:
BSB number: 805 050 145302 HEMP SA INC
If every grower and smoker in SA donated just $25 (the cost of one j-bag) we'd have more than enough money to fund the campaign we need to change the laws!
We REALLY NEED your help!
WE CAN'T DO IT ALONE!
Kick In Now!
Enrol 2 Vote 1 HEMP!
If you have changed address
at any time in the last four years
you may have been taken off the roll.
If you have never previously voted, you are probably not on the roll.
If you are between 18 and 22 you may not be on the roll.
HEMP urge all of its supporters to check their enrolment details with the SA Electoral Commission (08) 8401 4300, or 13 23 26 or www.seo.sa.gov.au
and register to vote.
Itšs easy to do and can be done in minutes next time you visit a post office.
If youšre not on the roll you canšt vote and youšre denying yourself the chance to send a message to the politicians about just how bad their stupid laws are!
State Election:
The State Election will be held on
March 18th 2006
HEMP will be there again, contesting an Upper House seat representing
cannabis users - fighting for your rights!
putting ourselves on the line for you!
What'ya you gonna do for us?
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Join HEMP - we need your support;
Donate your time, money or resources
Write or visit your local MP.
Tell them youšre not a criminal!
Write a letter to your local paper.
See our website for letterwriting and lobbying tips.
Spread the word! Tell your friends, neighbors and relatives about whatšs happening.
Enrol To Vote.
Wešve got to send a strong message at the ballot box. Your Vote Counts!
Take a few leaflets, photocopy
them
and pass them around. Every one helps!
Call talkback radio and have your say!
Check out our website -Stay up to date.
DRUG SUMMIT
HEMP SA attended the SA Drug Summit 2002.
We represented the views of SA Cannabis users
and all those who believe the system needs changing.
Find out what happened here
or check out the hansard transcripts at www.drugsummit2002.sa.gov.au
or check out our submission
here
LATEST PLANT LIMIT = ONE OUTDOORS!
As of November 2001, the former Liberal
government reduced to ONE (1) the number of plants that is expiable
by an on-the-spot fine
(Cannabis Expiation Notice / CEN).
If you get caught with more than one plant you will face criminal charges in court and a possible criminal conviction! Jail terms are also possible!
This applies to outdoor growing only.
Legislation has now been passed, that makes Indoor Growing (defined as using artifical light and/or hydroponics or nutrient solutions) a criminal offence.
The bill to ban hydroponics and indoor
growing was passed in the Lower House before the last election and was
re-introduced by Mike Rann
(against the advice of the SA Drug Summit) and was rushed through and
passed in the Upper House on December 4th 2002.
Any users of hydroponics or indoor growers now face criminal penalties and a criminal conviction!
2002 ELECTION RESULTS
HEMP CAME 10th out of 76 Candidates!!
2002 Election Report
What We Did
HEMP SA ran as candidates for the Legislative Council or Upper House under the banner of Independent HEMP - Legalise Marijuana.
We organised a grass roots campaign raising $2300 via a highly visible and well patronised stall at the Big Day Out, donations and a presence at the Skyshow.
We distributed over 2500 posters and 5000 stickers and leaflets to enthusiastic punters and covered the Adelaide city area and ring roads quite comprehensively as well as down South along major roads.
We put out media releases and released a cyber "chain letter" that promoted our website and policies.
How We Did
Independent HEMP Legalise Marijuana gathered a total of 8210 votes.
We came 10th out of 48 groups and 76 different candidates.
We were the 58th excluded out of 64 exclusions, which is pretty good too.
It highlights how we not only had a healthy primary vote, but a reasonable flow of preferences as well. That's the good news for Cannabis law reformers.
The bad news: Family First got the last seat in the Upper House .
The other ten were divided: Liberal 5, Labor 4, Democrat 1 (thanks to HEMP preferences).
Family First campaigned strongly on a zero tolerance platform promising to criminalise any amount of Cannabis possession and cultivation, even personal amounts!
Great news for Mr Big & organised crime, bad news for society and Cannabis users!
Why We Did How We Did
Our vote was down from previous years where we came 5th out of 20 groups in the primary vote but this was not unexpected, nor anything to be ashamed of. The electorate polarised around Liberal & Labor with the Dems vote plummeting from a peak of 16.5% to 7.2% Other groups that did better than us included Family First (closely linked with the Assemblies of God Church, who allegedly spent around $250,000 on their campaign!), One Nation, Nick Xenephon's No Pokies, Voluntary Euthanasia (with high profile candidate Dr Phillip Nitschke), SA First (who according to Today Tonight pumped 1,000,000 pieces of taxpayer funded propaganda into the electorate prior to the election!) and the Greens, who had a paid campaigner and the benefit of federal money, expertise and media profile.
Like the Greens we also suffered from
the Murdoch media totally ignoring our media releases, although we did
get a good hearing in the Fairfax press in Melbourne & Sydney in The
Age & the SMH the weekend prior to polling day. Samela Harris gave our
website www.hemp.on.net a plug in her column in The Advertiser
and we got a candidate profile in the Election Guide itself, but that
was it. 75 other candidates certainly confused the issue and if you
didn't know HEMP was running it was hard to find us amidst the rest
of the field.
Getting Box X was a stroke of good luck though and used to good effect with our slogan " X marks the Spot!".
Financial reasons were also behind us not standing in the Lower House. This ensured however that we did not have to preference candidates that may oppose our goals and may have been a blessing in disguise. Labor especially cannot take the HEMP vote for granted. We are not going to stand around and do nothing whilst they vote to lower the number of plants from 3 to one (!) and support the proposal to ban indoor growing!
Our preferences were vital in getting the Democrats, long time allies in the fight for Cannabis law reform, their seat. They fell short of a quota in their own right and did not have a good preference flows from other groups. HEMP's preferences ensured that Sandra Kanck was returned.
On the whole we accomplished quite a lot considering our resources both human and financial. HEMP should be proud to have maintained it's influence on the political landscape in SA, but must look to the future and at how we can build on our recent achievements to ensure we get the laws we want and deserve.
Thanks to all who supported the campaign financially - we couldn't have done it without you and those few activists whose time and effort was well spent at the Big Day Out, the Skyshow and around town putting up posters and stickers. Champion stuff!!
Finally thanks to all who voted for us and spread the word.
Your voice will be heard!!
Jamnes Danenberg
Co-Convenor
HEMP SA inc
Independent HEMP Legalise Marijuana candidate
Legislative Council SA State Election 2002
Prohibition is the Problem, Not the Solution!
What You Can Do to help HEMP before the election.
We must demonstrate that there is community support for reform.
We must not let them turn us into criminals!
See:
Zero Tolerance: You Be the Judge!
Compiled by HEMP SA (Help End Marijuana Prohibition) www.hemp.on.net
Zero Tolerance vs On-the-spot fines (CENs)
Family First have recently called for Zero Tolerance regarding Cannabis users.
This raises important questions such
as:
Would it stop or reduce Cannabis use or cultivation?
Would it be socially less harmful?
Would such a (total prohibition) approach be cost effective?
Luckily, a comprehensive State &
Federal government study has recently been completed,
definatively answering those very questions.
In the Social Impacts of the Cannabis
Expiation Notice (CEN) Scheme Report,
( released to the Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy in 1998)
SAšs `prohibition with civil penalty' (On-the-spot fines) model was compared
and contrasted with Western Australiašs total prohibition approach,
(the very model advocated by SA Premier John Olsen).
Unfortunately for Zero Tolerance supporters
(and the SA public should the scheme go ahead) the study's findings suggests
"toughening" our laws would be more harmful, less cost effective,
more expensive and more time consuming for Police and the Courts.
Despite (or perhaps because of) WA's more punitive laws:
More people had used Cannabis in WA
than in SA. (37% vs 33%)
More people had used recently in WA than in SA. (16% vs 12%)
More used on a weekly basis in WA than SA (21% vs 12%)
More used on a monthly basis in WA than SA (33% vs 20%)
More young people used Cannabis in WA than in SA. (26% vs 23%)
More people thought it was ok to use in WA than in SA. (29% vs 27%)
WA laws clearly encouraged more dangerous patterns of use
(23% vs 10% used in a car in WA vs SA).
More people in WA had a more negative approach to the Police than in SA.
Less trustful of police (49% vs 18%)
More fearful of police (43% vs 15%)
More people in WA had negative outcomes from the legal consequences of
being busted than in SA.
More people in WA lost jobs or were denied jobs as a result of a bust.
Negative employment consequences (32% vs 2%)
More people in WA were evicted or denied housing as a result of a bust.
Negative accomodation consequences (16% vs 0%)
Sources: Makkai & McAllister. Marijuana in Australia: Patterns and Attitudes, NDS Monograph No31.1997, pp49-59, & Social Impacts of the Cannabis Expiation Notice Scheme in South Australia, 1998, Ali, et al., pp22-25).
Exactly which of these outcomes are the so-called Family First hoping to achieve with their Zero Tolerance proposals ?
Exactly which of these outcomes is family-friendly?
The Economics of the CEN Scheme vs Zero Tolerance
Apart from demonstrating that CEN laws do not cause more people to use Cannabis, the study showed clearly that SA's CEN legislation was also far more cost effective (and therefore cheaper for taxpayers!) than prohibition based alternatives.
Unit cost per CEN in SA was $32.73.
However, this rises massively to over $600 when proceedings resulted in
a jail term.
The annual cost of the system (based on 1995/96 figures of 16,321 CENs
with a expiation rate of 44%) worked out at $1.24 million in costs, returning
revenue of $1.68 million.
This resulted in a net profit to government of $440,000.
WAšs laws were more expensive to enforce up, taking up more court and police time and paperwork and were less cost effective.
Re-criminalising Cannabis users and growers in SA will see costs to the taxpayers increase significantly.
The study showed a return to prohibtion
would see costs skyrocket to $2.01million with revenue of $1.0 million
(assuming 7,500 minor offences as compared to 16,321 CENS).
Net loss to government $1.1milion.
(source: Social Impacts of the Cannabis Expiation Notice Scheme in
SA. 1998, Ali, et al., p31).
Where is the cost/benefit analysis of the politician's zero tolerance position?
HEMP SA demand Family First's Zero Tolerance rhetoric must be exposed as cynical scaremongering, rather than a serious attempt to address the health, social and legal issues surrounding Cannabis.
Zero Tolerance: You be the judge!
Donšt take our word for it! See the original government reports:
Monograph 34 The Social Impacts of the Cannabis Expiation Notice Scheme. http://www.health.gov.au/pubhlth/publicat/document/metadata/mono34.htm
Monograph 35 Cannabis Offences under the Cannabis Expiation Notice Scheme in South Australia. http://www.health.gov.au/pubhlth/publicat/document/metadata/mono35.htm
Monograph 36 Infringement versus Conviction: the Social Impact of a Minor Cannabis Offence under a Civil Penalties System and Strict Prohibition in Two Australian States. http://www.health.gov.au/pubhlth/publicat/document/metadata/mono36.htm
Monograph 37 Effects of Cannabis Expiation Notice Scheme on Level and Patterns of Cannabis Use in South Australia: Evidence from the National Drug Strategy Household Surveys 1985-1995. http://www.health.gov.au/pubhlth/publicat/document/metadata/mono37.htm
Monograph 38 A Review of Law Enforcement and Other Criminal Justice Attitudes, Policies and Practices regarding Cannabis and Cannabis Law in South Australia. http://www.health.gov.au/pubhlth/publicat/document/metadata/mono38.htm
A LONG TIME AGO IN A GALAXY FAR AWAY...
2001 The Space Odyssey
A Global Day of Action Against Prohibition
in over 125 Cities
HEMP SA inc
WEBSITE LAUNCH PARTY
Adelaide, South Australia.
Saturday May 5th, 2001
The Enigma Bar,
Featured the Launch of our website,
Bigsmoke - live
raffles, prizes, speeches and much much, more.
A great time was had by all :)
Special thanks to BIGSMOKE (Rob & Kingsley),
Martin & Sam, SPQ and all others who contributed.
The Highlights - a good mix of the most important and interesting recent stories to do with South Australia.
July 2001 Tough Laws Signal War on Marijuana (The Advertiser , Page 4 )
John Olsen signed his political death warrant announcing a proposed crackdown on Cannabis users, threatening them with up to TEN YEARS JAIL and $50, 000 fines!
June 2001 Dob-In- Grower
Campaign Slammed!
HEMP SA have condemned the SA Police's Dob-In -Grower campaign amidst increasing signs of a return to the bad old days of prohibition. The latest salvo in the ongoing war on Cannabis users is a tactic more suited to Stalins's Russia or Nazi Germany! It's clearly un-Australian!
Of course SA's laws haven't stopped Cannabis growers
or users, in fact it's encouraged them!
What the Police are hiding though is the fact that tougher laws are even
more ineffectual! (See
Social Impact Study 1998)
Contrary to media reports (Ch 7 News 5/5/01) HEMP
SA does not encourage growers to harvest their plants, although we recognize
some people probably will.
Harvesting your plants now could actually leave you in worse situation
as three plants growing is only a $150 fine, but when harvested would
probably exceed the limit allowed for personal use, and thus see you exposed
to criminal charges!
The moral: If you're growing now it's safer to leave them in !
February 2001 Draconian Censorship Bill Proposed for SA !
This bill would amongst other things, criminalise
anyone who placed content with "adult themes"online. Material
that would be rated"R" if it were a film and legally available,
will be ILLEGAL online, even if it is accesed only by an adult! In other
words the World Wide Web in SA will soon become "Charlotte's Web"
- with only material suitable for kids allowed!
For more information check out the EFA's analysis at http://www.efa.org.au/Campaigns/sabill.html
The question of whether such a bill directly threatens this site itself remains to be seen!
January 2001
Police warn Cannabis growers after home invasion bashing:
More to come soon...
October 2000
Liberals "Get Tough" on users, drive growers indoors and help organised crime!
See media releases on the subject
In June 1999 the Liberal Government changed the regulations controlliing the CEN legislation reducing the number of plants permissable under the CEN legislation (from 10 to three) a move furtively done under cover of the ETSA sale - the biggest political story in SA in years.
To add insult to injury the Liberals admitted that they kept quiet about the changes at the previous election (out of the fear no doubt it would be electorally unpopular - ie cost them votes!) and snuck the change through the regulations, not as legislation which would have required scrutiny, debate and public attention.
In July 2000 the new regulations were disallowed following a motion moved by Labor's Carolyn Pickles and supported by Mike Elliot and the Democrats, and Liberal Angus Redford, thus returning SA to a situation where ten plants are again subject to expiation!
 |
 |
SA is now back to 3 plants following the decision of the Police Minister to go it alone and push Cabinet into changing the regulations yet again!
October 4th 2000:
Carolyn Pickles MLC has announced plans to again move to disallow the regulations concerning the 3 plant limit. Stay tuned after Parliament returns! In the meantime, get lobbying!
Lateline
(date?)
Medical Marijuana debate
A debate between controversial prohibitionist
and "researcher" Dr John Anderson & Professor Wayne Hall
from NDARC on ABC TV (Australia) Lateline program.
The Australian 28-29/10/00 page
2(?)
Grass roots with a twist of truth - Emma Tom
Hilariously funny review of Grass (the movie documentary)
The Advertiser 26/10/2000 p 19
Stirring the Pot - Samela Harris & Jonathon Hart
Looks at the debate stirred up by Commissioner Hydes " Dr Jekyll" zero tolerance proposal..
The Sunday Age 20/8/00 p 8.
Adelaide, the Amsterdam of the South - Penelope Debelle
A reasonable article featuring a couple of quotes from HEMP's point of view.
24/7/00
Australian Financial Review (Australia)
Amsterdam of the South - Christopher Pearson
This politically inspired piece is seriously
flawed, inaccurate and sensationalist.
The
Age 14/7/00
Marijuana Decision has SA Users Lighting Up in Celebration
Good news, but it was not for long
23/6/00
Business Review Weekly
Agribusiness: Joint interest in Economy Gone to Pot
From Business Review Weekly comes the following story on the economics of South Australia's contribution to a $5 Billion black market. Prohibition means big dollars can be made growing Cannabis. "Why won't the government tax it?" the article asks?
28/11/99
Background Briefing - ABC Radio National
Adelaide - Cannabis Capital
We briefed reporter Chris Bullock extensively
after he contacted us, did an interview with us, then proceeded to ignore
the issues, concerns and evidence we raised. Nice one mate!
3/11/99
The Australian, p10,
Canberra Times, p3?
Newspoll 99
A Newspoll conducted on behalf of Life
Education shows 75% of Australians back decriminalisation of Cannabis!
Politicians take note! The war on drugs has passed its use-by-date as
an vote winner
(seee Vic, NZ, NSW, WA election results)
24/2/99
The Advertiser, p18
Yes, a Marijuana-led Recovery - Samela Harris
Not so recent, but a must-read - an great article that shows how South Australia's tourism, hospitality, horticulticultura industry and small businesses could benefit by ending prohibition and taking advantage of a Cannabis led economic recovery.
Archival front page story in the City's free Murdoch-owned weekly. Nice one guys!
