Legalise Cannabis WA MP Dr Brian Walker has forecast that the party may hold the balance of power in the Upper House following next month's state election.
LCWA is running the largest slate of candidates in its history, with eight contesting seats in the Legislative Council (Upper House) and 34 standing for the Legislative Assembly.
Dr Walker said: "We have ex-military, serving nurses, and small business owners, to name a few, contesting on behalf of the Legalise Cannabis WA Party. Polling suggests we will win somewhere between two and four Council seats, potentially giving us the balance of power."
Having previously alleged he was being excluded by mainstream media outlets, Dr Walker said he remains confident that Western Australian voters will recognise the value of backing the Legalise Cannabis Party to bring the failed war on drugs to a close.
"Legalising cannabis will inject over A$1.25 billion into the WA economy over four years. Apart from the savings in law enforcement and court costs, this measure will deal a blow to the criminals who have profited from the illegal market," he added.
Epsilon Healthcare
Epsilon Healthcare has confirmed that the Deed of Company Arrangement (DOCA) for its wholly owned subsidiary Epsilon Clinics, signed in June 2024, was effectuated last week (February 19, 2025).
Participating creditors' claims have been extinguished under the DOCA, which the company is no longer bound by.
The development brings to a close a turbulent chapter for the company, during which it cycled through voluntary administration amid a fierce contest for boardroom control.
Vitura Health
Vitura has finalised its acquisition of Livelihood Health, the parent company of Candor Medical, for A$5.9 million, completing a deal announced earlier this month and financed through a private share placement to prominent Australian businessman Charlie Shahin.
Candor, a Queensland-based telehealth platform serving around 15,000 patients and generating $30m in annual prescriptions, was founded by Joel and Dr Lisa Beckett in 2022.
The two founders will take on the roles of general manager specialty clinics and chief medical officer specialty clinics respectively.
Vitura chair Robert Iervasi said: "Vitura is very pleased to have completed the Candor acquisition and to welcome both Joel and Lisa Beckett into the Vitura family.
"We look forward to working closely with the whole Candor team to drive further growth and value for our shareholders and to continue our delivery of best-in-class service for our growing patient base."
NZ industrial hemp regulations
New Zealand's minister for regulation David Seymour has announced a review of the country's "outdated and burdensome" industrial hemp rules, aiming to breathe life into a sector that could be worth NZ$2 billion within the next five years.
Industrial hemp currently sits as a Class C controlled drug under NZ's Misuse Of Drugs Act. It cannot be supplied for therapeutic purposes, and only low-THC cannabis varieties approved by the director-general of health are permitted for cultivation.
Seymour said: "A report from the ministry of business, innovation and employment projects the sector could be worth $2 billion by 2030 – if we get the rules right.
"Through our review of agricultural and horticultural product regulations and feedback from the red tape tip line, we've heard loud and clear that change is needed. Now, we're getting on with the job."
Seymour said he will table reform options to cabinet later this year.
