The Legalise Cannabis WA Party is pleased to announce Dr Craig Buchanan as its candidate for the Secret Harbour by-election, standing on a platform of sensible, evidence-based cannabis reform.
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Dr Craig Buchanan |
Local leader and scholar
Dr Buchanan is a former two-term Councillor for the City of Rockingham and a long-term resident of the South Metropolitan Region. He holds a PhD from the University of Western Australia and spent more than two decades in the university sector supporting students and building community connection, followed by parliamentary advisory work that gave him a deep understanding of the legislative process.
A principled resignation
Dr Buchanan stepped down from Council over a transparency dispute, after officers allegedly bypassed the City's Outdoor Events Policy to approve an event promoting gambling. Rather than remain part of a process he believed had misled elected members, he resigned.
Personal experience driving action
Craig's advocacy is grounded in his own health journey. More than two years ago he was diagnosed with bowel cancer and underwent major surgery, and credits medicinal cannabis with giving him "freedom of choice" and "bodily autonomy" through a difficult recovery.
"I know first-hand that medicinal cannabis is life-changing medication," Dr Buchanan says. "It's about the right to heal and function without the fear of outdated stigma or unfair legal repercussions."
CRAIG'S PLATFORM:
- Drivers' rights: ending "detectable but not impaired" driving laws that criminalise patients for trace metabolites long after any impairment has passed.
- Workers' rights: protecting legal patients from workplace discrimination, so they're treated as fairly as anyone using another prescription medication.
- Patient advocacy: making treatment genuinely affordable and accessible for pensioners and veterans forced to choose between their health and their finances.
"Secret Harbour deserves a representative who will hold decision-makers to account and push for laws based on science, not prejudice," Dr Buchanan said. "I'm ready to work across party lines to serve our community with compassion and common sense."
“Craig is one of the few people in politics that I can honestly say that I trust unreservedly. It might sound trite to put it so simply, but he means what he says, and he says what he means. His commitment to sensible reform across WA - be it in terms of drug reform, legal reform, or boarder issues of social change, and support - stems from his deep seated commitment to his local community and to fairness for all. He would make an outstanding MLA for each and every resident of Secret Harbour.”
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Hon Dr Brian Walker MLC Leader of the Legalise Cannabis WA Party |
SECRET HARBOUR UPGRADES:
Stop Screwing Over Our Boat Owners
The state government currently maintains (and paid for the building of) 100% of boat ramps in Joondallup, 100% of boat ramps in Cockburn, and 50% of boat ramps in Willagee. In Secret Harbour, and the greater City of Rockingham area, then have built and maintain … ZERO boat ramps. In other words, Secret Harbour residents are being told to pay twice for their local amenities. My proposal will be that the State Government takes over the construction and ongoing maintenance of the proposed six ramp facility in Port Kennedy , and that over time the government also transitions the Point Peron facilities in neighbouring Rockingham to its control. That would save the City’s ratepayers (i.e. every single resident of Secret Harbour, whether they own a boat or not) in excess of $20m in capital project costs, and at least $1m in maintenance costs each year, savings which would then be passed on residents by way of lower rates bills.
More Policy Announcements Coming Soon...
Karnup Train Station
THC Driving Reform
Medical Cannabis Costs