The HEMP Party 

Arish, Jaideep, Iniyan,

Akshay 
About the leader

The leader of the HEMP party is Michael Balderstone he was formerly a

stock-broker but abandoned his job to find “deeper meaning” in his life
according to the www.australiancannabissummit.com website. He resides in
NSW, Nimbin a contemporary says that “He lived in one of those
dilapidated Toorak mansions”. Not only being one of the most known
Cannabis activist in Australia he has strange habits such as walking his pet
sheep every Saturday morning.
 Key Policies

Help Cannabis was outlawed in 1927

Centred around the idea of re-legalising cannabis.
End
Marijuana
"Cannabis must be treated in the same way as alcohol
Prohibition and tobacco"
-Hemp Party -Hemp Party Website
 Interesting facts 
• They were established in 1993 
• The party originated from an idea from south Asia 
• The party focus' on positive policy reform relating
for cannabis for health and personal users 
• The party hasn't been very effective in parliament
as they have not achieved many votes in the past
few elections but are still determined to try and
find votes in the future 
 Electoral Success
• The Hemp party was founded in 1993. They are leading a group of minor
progressive parties in the running to enter Victoria’s upper house. They are
hoping to secure 2 spots in the parliament.
• In 2001, The Hemp party was assessed by the Australian electoral
commission as to whether it was suitable to be added to the electoral roll.
Afterwards, the Commission found that it was, meaning Hemp could run
as an electoral candidate under the name.
 Number of federal parliament members
Ccurrently, they have 0 members in parliament and have never really had
any members. This is due the fact that what they stand for and support is
something that does not apply to the broader community. Their popularity
increased among the younger generation but is generally thought of as a
joke.
 Bibliography 
https://lcvicparty.org/ - Victorian Party Information 
• https://legalisecannabis.org.au/get-the-facts/ - Get the Facts 
Where have all the hippies gone? (smh.com.au)- Syden Mo
• https://legalisecannabis.org.au/party-policy/
• https://www.medihuanna.com/articles/history-of-cannabis-prohibition-in-
australia   - History of Cannabis Prohibition
• https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/nov/28/legalise-cannabis-
and-other-progressive-parties-could-hold-balance-of-power-in-victorian-
upper-house