Legalise Cannabis Victoria has cleared its final hurdle to contest next month's state election after the Victorian Electoral Commission formally confirmed the party's registration.
Party secretary Craig Ellis said the federal election outcome, in which the party drew more than 500,000 votes across the country, had given membership a substantial boost.
The party is now positioned to put candidates forward in the Victorian poll.
"Legalising cannabis is now a mainstream issue in Australia – an issue that's time has well and truly come," Ellis said.
"A significant amount of the public now supports the legalising of cannabis for adult use and the expansion of the availability of medicinal cannabis products.
"We have seen that support translate into votes at the ballot box and feel confident that Victorians will embrace the party at the state election in November."
The party is hoping to build on its performance in WA, where Dr Brian Walker and Sophia Moermond won seats in the 2021 state election.
Its intention is to contest all eight electorates in Victoria's Legislative Council.
"The Legalise Cannabis Party has a chance in any electorate for the Upper House," Ellis said.
"We will be announcing some outstanding candidates over the coming weeks and are buoyed by the interest we have had from individuals wanting to take our positive message of cannabis legalisation to the electorate – and ultimately into the Victorian State Parliament."
Entering the race late does leave the party with ground to cover. The most recent Roy Morgan poll found just 0.5% of respondents nominating the party as their first preference.
Voting is scheduled for Saturday, November 26.
