Tim Quilty, a member of the Liberal Democrats representing Northern Victoria has stepped up to the plate and is urging the Victorian government to legalise recreational cannabis.
On February 22, 2019, Tim went into the Victorian parliament with a rather eloquent speech prepared on the various benefits of being the first state to legalise marijuana.
He started off by acknowledging the elephant in the room, that cannabis legalisation is coming…it’s just a matter of time. Showcasing the efforts of the various US states and various other countries who’re already reaping the benefits of legal weed.
We will see a new agricultural industry emerge that will benefit the farmers of Northern Victoria.
Digging his feet in further, Tim questioned whether the government would rather drag their heels and continue to persecute people for possessing a plant, or take the lead and gain the first mover advantage in Australia.
Just like when pokies were illegal in Victoria and busloads of folks would ride across the border into New South Wales to get what they, he believes many of the northern towns scattered across the Murray would see a similar style of cannabis tourism.
Not only would the towns benefit, but a new agricultural industry would be created almost overnight, massively playing into the hands of the farmers in the Northern Victoria region.
Here’s the video:
Feel free to check out Tim’s Facebook page.
And the transcript of his speech:
I rise today to speak about legalising cannabis. Everyone in this parliament knows that cannabis legalisation is coming. We’ve watched the tidal wave of legalisation washing across the US and around the world. We can drag our heels for a few more years, continuing to persecute people for possessing a plant, or we can take the lead.
There will be considerable economic advantage for the first mover state. We will see a new agricultural industry emerge that will benefit the farmers of Northern Victoria, and we will see cannabis tourism.
Some of you may remember the days when pokies were illegal in Victoria and busloads of people would cross the border into NSW to play. A Victoria first cannabis industry will cause a great boom for the Northern Victorian towns along the Murray as people cross the interstate to enjoy Victorian freedom.
This government has a choice, it can sit on its hands and give the opportunity to others, or it can embrace progressive mantle is so long be known for and strike now. Delivering the benefits for Northern Victoria and the state as a whole.
22nd February 2019
Tim Quincy