The Accidental Activist (brash's Interview)

[Brash]

original article:

http://ssonet.com.au/showarticle.asp?ArticleID=3013

Sydney Star Observer is a free weekly gay street press publication.

 

The accidental activist

 

JUSTIN BRASH CAMPAIGNS FOR MEDICINAL CANNABIS OUTSIDE NSW PARLIAMENT, ACTING UP IN THE NAME OF GOOD HEALTH AND COMMON SENSE

 

By Tim Benzie

 

Free pot. Happy words to many, but not to NSW parliamentarians heading to work this April Fool’s Day.

Activist Justin Brash handed bags of “free medical cannabis” to passing pollies, although the pamphlet attached had a political punchline. The bags contained “the only legal options available for medical cannabis patients currently in NSW” – which was nothing.

“Doctors will tell you that most HIV patients are a real pain in the arse because they know a lot about their illness,” Brash said. “That’s the same way I approach cannabis, because it’s really just a treatment for my HIV.”

Cannabis has a major benefit for those in an advanced stage of illness: it can suppress acute nausea and also heighten the appetite. Medical evidence from Canada and the UK was enough to convince the premier Bob Carr to initiate a four-year trial of medical cannabis in May of last year and Brash soon found himself in the spotlight.

“I first wrote to the premier back in 1995 … and I let ACON and PLWHA know that I was prepared to speak on this issue. Over the years no one really took any notice of me. Then all of a sudden Bob Carr made his announcement … and it’s been a bit of a whirlwind ever since,” Brash said.

The trial has been welcomed, but for Brash it’s not over yet. John Howard said in May 2003 he supported the trial only if the treatment was made available in the form of a tablet or spray: a possible outcome Brash thinks is not good enough.

“The best way for a trial to go ahead is … allowing patients to use cannabis in a way that suits them best. For most people that means some form of rapid intake like smoking or inhalation by vaporiser so that the dose can be titrated well,” Brash said. Cannabis taken in pill form is metabolised by the liver, according to Brash, creating a less effective medicinal effect.

And so Brash maintains a presence outside parliament, a far cry from his former life, as the “fastest barman on Oxford Street”.

“I managed to get a meeting with the Opposition spokeswoman on Health and I got 30 minutes in her office, which I thought was pretty impressive,” Brash said.

Edited April 8, 2004 by Brash

[Tom]

Way to go Brash, hope the Opposition spokeswoman on Health took some notice of what you had to say.

 

[Brash]

She seemed to be a genuine and thoughtful person, The Hon Robyn Parker MLC.

 

Although she admitted that there was no clear policy from the opposition on the issue of medical cannabis -so I told her the names of Liberal party members who had offered support and those who interjected in a negative way during debates on this issue in Hansard over the last 9 years. What can I say ... I try to stay abreast of the issues

[Bhagoyandi]

Good on ya Brash. You must have impressed the opposition spokeswoman yourself to be given a private meeting.

[Brash]

Well, I look pretty conservative, middle aged, white anglo, dressed in suit, short hair, no tats or piercings ... not so much the sort you're that you would take to meet the parents, but I look like one of the parents Edited April 8, 2004 by Brash

[Tom]

so I told her the names of Liberal party members who had offered support and those who interjected in a negative way during debates on this issue in Hansard over the last 9 years.

Yeah, pollies hate it when you can come up with the facts, makes it hard for them to BS their way out of things. ::

 

[Chev]

Good stuff brash You must have made a hit.

[geezer]

All the best Brash, you're a legend.

Lets hope we can make a difference & reason & understanding will prevail over narrow minded authoritarian politics.

Thanks Brash

[Brash]

All the best Brash, you're a legend.

::

 

Sorry to laugh but I do not regard myself as a legend, I vaguely remember a quip from someone famous who once said 'a legend is a rumour plus time'.

 

To be honest, the title of the article says it all "The Accidental Activist". This whole chain of events has amuzed this 'riddled' old queen and has made life worth living again ... I had nearly been getting to the stage of giving up, now I wouldn't be dead for QUIDS. Ha , havin a ball

 

fook my house smells at present ... cannabutter on the boil

Edited April 8, 2004 by Brash

[Guest FLOWER]

You have a fighting spirit to be proud of Brash .

 

Enjoy the canna butter.

 

FLOWER