What would happen if all NSW tokers voted HEMP?

[Brash]

The things you do when your 'medicated' and bored:

 

I decided to do some research and play around with the figures to see if we can get someone to represent us in parliament. I made the figures pretty conservative (mainly used government figures) as I didn't want to exaggerate. Also decided to extrapolate to see the size of the pot economy in Oz. What you think guys? Are my figures valid? What would 12,500 kilos be worth?

 

population of Australia (NSW) = 20,479,500 (6,750,000)

voting population - aged over 18 years old (NSW) = 15,362,700 (5,048,511)

percentage of cannabis users in general population aged over 18 years old = 11.3%

total number of cannabis users aged over 18 years old in Australia (NSW) = 1,735,985 (570,482)

number of voters who use cannabis daily in Australia (NSW) = 282,966 (92,989)

number of voters who use cannabis weekly in Australia (NSW) = 394,069 (129,499)

number of voters who use cannabis monthly in Australia (NSW) = 208,318 (68,458)

number of voters who use cannabis less often in Australia (NSW) = 848,897 (278,966)

approx number of votes required to elect a NSW senator to the Federal upper house: 850,000

approx number of votes required to elect NSW upper house member: 200,300

 

If all daily users and weekly users in NSW (222,488) voted for the HEMP party (Help End Marijuana Prohibition), we would get a member in the state upper house. We would however not get one federal senator even if every toker in NSW voted (including the less frequent ones).

 

To calculate the amount of cannabis used in australia I have used the following methodology and the above figures:

If all australian users used one gram when they had a session (1g per day or week or month, less frequent users rated at 1 gram/ year):

Daily users would use 10,330 kg per year

weekly users would use 2,050 kg per year

monthly users would use 250 kg per year

less frequent users would use 8.5 kg per year

TOTAL amount Cannabis used per annum in Australia: 12,638.5 kg

 

statistics sourced:

Drug use statstics: The National Drug Strategy 2004

Population statstics : Australian Bureau of Statistics

Edited October 16, 2005 by Brash

[Mushaman]

Heya Brash

 

intriguing and interesting concept and figures .. really interesting because not included are the symapthizers .... that vote could be huge .. youknow, the ones that dont smoke but live with those of us who do ... the tolerant brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers ... friends... now, that potential vote could get us one or more federal senators.... do you have candidates in mind .... I could be interested :scratchin

[dsyfer]

Would media sell advertising to a MJ party? would probably get media blackout to prevent it from working, if you could find a way to get the attention of the smokers (remember for some commercial growers, sellers etc, wouldn't want legalisation) this could be done.

[HighRising]

I don't think I'd vote for a party just on the basis of weed legalisation. What else do they stand behind?

Sure, it's important to me, but so are lots of other things. I think we stand a better chance with pushing those that are already there.

 

As stoners, we just have to get out of our beanbags and do something!

Edited October 17, 2005 by HighRising

[Gush]

I would vote for them. We all know that cannabis prohibition is unjust, as do most Australians. But, it doesnt effect enough people for the pollies to stand up to corporate pressure.IMHO, all thats needed is a public voice and a little momentum....

And why not look to corporate sponsorship? Dutch Masters sponsors Drag bikes, and I'm sure the end of prohibition would be good for buisness.

Also if the mainstream media doesnt approve, why not headshops? If all the "off ya tree" stores gave a flyer to each customer you would spread the word in no time. :scratchin

[Tom]

Are the members for the upper house in NSW elected by a statewide vote or do they have their own electorates?

 

[Brash]

.. do you have candidates in mind .... I could be interested

Certainly not myself - I have a bit of a past that some may wish to use against me, politics is a dirty game and a 'cleanskin' is better.

 

I don't think I'd vote for a party just on the basis of weed legalisation. What else do they stand behind?

 

Sure, it's important to me, but so are lots of other things.  I think we stand a better chance with pushing those that are already there. ...

The Upper house is happily the home of the single-issue party. Already members(MLC) represent Greens, Christians, shooters and outdoor-recreationists just to mention a few. It might give the majors the shits but it adds to the intregity of the review process IMHO. Having a pro-pot MLC means they can do the pushing on our behalf.

 

Are the members for the upper house in NSW elected by a statewide vote or do they have their own electorates?

Yep, its a statewide vote for all the upper houses in Oz, I think.

 

Rederally while it takes 850,000 in NSW to elect a senator, in Tasmania it is only about 60,000. Same number of Senators for a much smaller population - and of course a far fewer number of tokers, so just as hard to get someone in federally.

Edited October 17, 2005 by Brash

[HighRising]

The Upper house is happily the home of the single-issue party. Already members(MLC) represent Greens, Christians, shooters and outdoor-recreationists just to mention a few. It might give the majors the shits but it adds to the intregity of the review process IMHO. Having a pro-pot MLC means they can do the pushing on our behalf.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Yes, now I've thought about it a little, more you are right.

I would vote and campaign for a canditate as well.

 

It's not like a canditate would end up as a premier or anything.

Edited October 17, 2005 by HighRising

[Doob]

With the statistics that brash has given just proves that every vote counts, (never think your vote doesn't count or that your just wasting it by voting for a smaller party). I think getting flyers in headshops explaining the benefits of mj would get a good amount of votes, as well as getting your families friends ect.

If we have the numbers, we will win.