The Legalise Cannabis Party has recorded one of its strongest performances in a Queensland state election, drawing an average 4.7% of the primary vote across the seats it contested, based on figures current as of October 29, 2024.
With 29 candidates running throughout the state, the party's best individual result came in the Sunshine Coast seat of Nicklin, where Melody Lindsay secured 7.7% of the primary vote.
Other candidates who performed strongly included Jeff Knipe in Hervey Bay with 6.9%, and Suzette Luyken in the Gold Coast electorate of Coomera with 6%.
Lindsay said: "It's really exciting to see our primary vote increase, perceptions are starting to change about the Legalise Cannabis Party, but there is much more to be done in terms of education and raising awareness."
Although the party did not win any seats in Queensland's Legislative Assembly — and unlike some other states, Queensland has no upper house in which Legalise Cannabis MPs currently sit — candidates and volunteers reported that hundreds of voters had shared personal accounts of positive experiences with medicinal cannabis, either their own or those of family members and loved ones.
The party said the voting patterns reflect evolving community attitudes toward cannabis in Queensland. "The tireless work – over many years – from… our dedicated volunteers is now producing tangible results," it added.
Legalise Cannabis said it intends to build on this state election showing when the federal election takes place, due by May 2025, with plans to field candidates across the country and establish itself as a "credible alternative to other minor parties".
The party currently holds four seats across the country: Dr Brian Walker in WA, David Ettershank and Rachel Payne in Victoria, and Jeremy Buckingham in NSW.
