The Legalise Cannabis Party has Marc Selan running for the seat of Tweed. Mr Selan left Australia eight years ago after suffering numerous adverse reactions to pharmaceutical medications before he discovered cannabis put his symptoms from severe ulcerative colitis into remission. He returned to Australia last year and is running in the seat of Tweed as he is ‘shocked at how backward we are and is fired up about changing our laws’.
What is your big number one issue that you’re looking at going into this election?
I decided to run in the NSW state elections to try and address a broad range of social, industrial, and economic issues affecting all Australians.
One of the main issues facing 30-40 per cent of adults in all cities is our draconian drug driving and cannabis laws. These are destroying people’s lives and criminalizing them.
The Legalise Cannabis Party will put forward a bill to amend drug-driving legislation for a medical exemption and an impairment-based test for adults, instead of the current inaccurate saliva test that is not based on impairment.
We will introduce a bill to allow adults to cultivate, carry, and consume cannabis and for a pilot program for Cannabis Social Clubs. These entities would be licensed to cultivate cannabis solely for distribution among private adult members. Cannabis associations are non-profit and the bridge between the public and public health sector.
These significant changes would allow police to more adequately redistribute funds and energy towards dangerous crime.
What is your background – what did you study or train for? What skills do you bring to this? What is your current job?
I have a background in trades being a qualified motor mechanic and dental technician. After finishing my dental technician training I opened and ran my own crown and bridge dental laboratory for over ten years.
After becoming unwell and moving to Barcelona I started running a Cannabis Association. Now eight years later I have returned to Australia to assist with the establishment of a social cannabis consumption model.
I am currently in the process of establishing Special Cannabis Service. A business involved in all sectors of the cannabis industry from cultivation to producing products incorporating hemp bio-plastics.
It’s important that fresh new ideas from individuals who think outside the box with experience are in parliament. As a medical cannabis consumer and President of a cannabis Association I have experienced and witnessed the benefits of regulated adult cannabis markets in many European countries.
Why is it important to you that you’re in Parliament?
The current NSW government is far too conservative and has forgotten about working-class Australians. We need to be able to offer real opportunities for small businesses.
Looking at New South Wales Parliament at the moment what is the thing that frustrates you the most?
After 12 years in power the Liberals and Nationals are just a tired old government. Geoff Provest and his boss Dominic Perrottet’s unfair and harsh laws have hurt our community. NSW needs a fresh start and new plans with a Minns Labor Government.
Do you support building on floodplains? How would you address the issue of legacy floodplain approvals (developments that have been approved but not yet built, that are on floodplains)?
I would not support building on floodplains as it’s not logical. Legacy flood plain approvals would need to be reviewed and be open to exploring the possibilities of alternative locations.
Do you consider that the current NSW government’s Short Term Rental Accommodation laws (STRA) has contributed to the current housing crisis, and would you advocate for local councils to regain control over STRA?
I would advocate for local councils to retake control of STRA if it offered locals a significant benefit to regain housing.
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