SEX PARTY CANDIDATES TO SMOKE POT OUTSIDE STATE LIBRARY

AUSTRALIAN Sex Party candidates will smoke marijuana on the steps of
the State Library today as the party launches its drug policy.

Legalised pot could give Victoria decent public transport, the party
says.

The protest will take place at the State Library at 4.20pm this
afternoon.

Sex Party president Fiona Patten said this week's record cannabis
raids was proof that prohibition did not work.

Ms Patten, who is a candidate for the Northern Metropolitan region in
the Upper House, said Victoria should become the first state to
legalise "medical marijuana".

She said California's medical marijuana industry raked in $100 million
for that state's government in 2008.

"Victoria could afford a decent public transport system on cannabis
revenues," Ms Patten said.

The party also wants legalised heroin injecting rooms introduced in
Victoria.

Ms Patten said this week's record cannabis raids were proof that
prohibition did not work and that the war on drugs was unwinnable.

"Senior judges like Ken Crispin QC have stated categorically that drug
use has exploded as a direct result of this combative war waged by the
state against people who use drugs," Ms Patten said.

"Drugs like heroin and cocaine are now cheaper and more easily
available than they were before this phony war was started.

"Around the world the inescapable evidence is that those countries who
prosecute personal possession of drugs the most, have the highest
rates of usage".

Ms Patten said the use of tobacco was declining because it was legal
and could therefore be incorporated into government heath care
programs and advertising.