FLATTEN THE ECONOMIC CURVE

The urgency for funding for our health system is at a premium in most peoples consciousness, what happens if there are lines of Ambulances waiting for infected to be processed.

So far, knock wood, we are doing ok, we (our various levels of government) have been able to set up a security net to identify and deal with new infections and have tentatively opened up basic social movement model with the COVID app.

If we care enough about each other to behave responsibly, think of it like having to stay still through a full colouring of your nuts whilst your mates are standing around laughing at every wince of the tattooist’s needle, you have to do it, a matter of honour! 

Unfortunately, our Liberals have never handled a crisis well, we have really never allowed them to do so before! Timing…doh…but here we are, I am thankful for our State Premiers now!

But when public funds start to wane, which they will with the impending recession, the economy will take precedence over the people that fuel it.

Australia though floats on a sea of black money generated by locally grown and produced recreational drugs, Cannabis being obviously socially acceptable, it has a usage which crosses all generations and levels of society for health and recreation purposes. 

Global experiences tell us regulating and licensing Cannabis has proved to be a cash cow and dramatically reducing crime statistics, relieving police forces, and emptying jails…hmmm…see any negatives there? For a country with a population smaller than some US states it is a no-brainer.

In regards to party pills like MDMA, we also need regulation and pill testing should be mandatory.

In the meantime, there is a serious cohort of psychiatrists that feel psychotropic drugs like psilocybin, DMT, LSD, and mescaline have beneficial results if used appropriately to treat some mental issues.

Drugs like Ice and Heroin have devastated families and communities, create desperate crime.

Regulating recreational drugs doesn’t mean shops opening up with a smorgasbord of pills and powders, but it does give us the opportunity to gather taxation dollars from socially acceptable imbibement, but also allows those that have been weaned off Ice and Heroin with synthetics to be able to be treated respectfully for the root causes and have drug taxes pay for the rehabilitation.

If cocaine was addictive as speed, Ice or heroin we would know about it, crack cocaine caused a sensation in huge countries but never took off here as a street drug thank god.

It is purely a wealthy person’s drug, how to deal with that I have no idea, considering the evil at the root of its production it should probably only be licensed for medical purposes

In Melbourne, as usual, St Kilda leads the way. We have had a hemp-based restaurant for a couple of years in Barkly Street and RELEAF has opened in Acland Street opposite the legendary Vineyard selling an amazing array of hemp products…EVERYONE is aware of the medical benefits of CBD.

Taxation from recreational drugs may not balance the budget but would create new industries that would positively affect regional and metropolitan coffers and an eternal income stream.

I hasten to add that for Australia it will need a most enlightened approach to satisfy the people, but just think about the relief of people that no longer fear that their 16 year old won’t get a conviction for a joint or a bag that destroys their future.

Since the formation of the political party, Drug Law Reform Australia some 10 years ago a mature discussion about this subject arisen, 2 elections were offered a selection of exemplary candidates in 4 States.

The party leader, Greg Chipp, worked for many years in his father Don Chipp’s electoral office.

Don Chipp was a Minister of Customs and Excise, illicit drug money was on his schedule, in a Liberal Fraser Government and went on to create The Democrats, for many years our 3rd major party.

After Senate election rule changes it was decided a different platform was necessary Greg created Drug Policy Australia.

If you find what I am saying challenging to accept please do take the time to look at what it really means and the plethora of support from all sections of our community in the links above.

I wonder which major Party will wake up first?