In 2022, we are thrilled that Michael Pettersson will be speaking at the 2022 Hemposium. He is one of Australia’s youngest politicians and is responsible for people in the ACT being able to grow 2 plants and legally carry fifty grams with them. Michael was elected to the ACT Parliament in 2016 when he was 25, and he has recently introduced a bill in Canberra that would remove criminal sanctions for the personal possession and use of all illicit substances.

 

Other leading Cannabis law reform politicians on the agenda who will discuss their efforts in raising Cannabis Bills within their respective states, include Fiona Patten from the Reason Party in Victoria, Cate Faehrmann, NSW Greens, and Sophia Moermond / Brian Walker, Legalise Cannabis WA.  Long time MardiGrass supporter, David Shoebridge, now a Greens Federal Senator, will share the future of drug law reform efforts in Federal parliament.

 

The 2022 Hemposium will also host experts in medicinal cannabis to discuss the role of cannabis in an integrative medicine approach to the treatment of disease, disorders, conditions and promotion of wellbeing, drawing on both scientific research and experiences as practitioners and researchers.

 

It’s wonderful to welcome Professor Kylie O’Brien back to MardiGrass in 2022, and we’re particularly excited that she’s now a Rainbow Region local. Kylie has been leading doctor education in medicinal cannabis in Australia, and set up the pathway for doctors to apply to become authorised prescribers of medicinal cannabis under the TGA Scheme. Grateful that Prof Nick Lintzeris will visit Nimbin again to share his latest research and survey on Cannabis Use. Welcome also to Dr Carolyn Bosak who will discuss the ways cannabis can potentially benefit the athlete, and anyone else trying to stay active and healthy.

 

Dr John Teh, from PlantMed Medicinal Cannabis, will host a medical cannabis Q&A session. Leading educator and Medical Director MediHuanna, Dr Teresa Towpick, will launch her new book “Cancer My greatest Teacher” and explore her healing journey with cannabis. We’re excited to welcome again Dr Jamie Rickord, Medical Director Ananda Clinics, who will focus on why cannabinoids may be essential for optimal human functioning. And in 2022, we welcome back veteran law reform campaigners and great supporters of MardiGrass, Dr Andrew Katelaris and Dr Deb Waldron.

 

With ongoing changes to cannabis laws, the issue of cannabis-impaired driving has never appeared more salient. Ex magistrate David Heilpern is returning to MardiGrass to chair a Q&A on drug driving and explore how we find our way past this massive roadblock. He will be joined by Dr. Thomas Arkell who will review the science around cannabis and its effects on driving ability and cognitive function, and highlight the current approaches to managing cannabis and driving here in Australia and around the world.

 

MardiGrass stalwarts, legendary Tony Bower from Mullaways Medical Cannabis returns to MardiGrass this year and so does Steve Bolt who is coming to provide essential Legal Advice. And on a fungi tangent, T.K. Nixon founder of Responsible Choice, returns in 2022 with a blockbuster 90 minute session on the ‘Four Golden Rules‘ necessary for ensuring correct identification of our favourite fungi. Also returning to MardiGrass is journalist and historian, Dr John Jiggens, who will launch his important book, “The Joke: A History of Cannabis Prohibition in Australia”, and reveal the inside joke of Bela Csidei and the Wonder Plant.

 

This year’s Mardigrass Industrial HEMP Expo will promote global & local hemp solutions for medicine, food and industry with the newly formed Northern Rivers Hemp Farmers Co-op in attendance to answer all your questions about hemp farming. This year we are excited to announce two new all day workshops: How to Ice-Water Sieve by Quality Treats and a Glass Blowing Demo by Craze Co. The Hemp Expo also eatures hemp engineer Martin Ernegg; interactive farmers, Hanna and Leon, Hemp Threads, and learn how to make hemp balm with The Hemp Club! Hemp farmers, Don Langdon will explain how we can save money and the world with biodynamic hemp CBD farming, while Stuart Browne will show how hemp honey. On Sunday, Kog and will share the truth about cultivating Cannabis at his annual Grower’s circle while Malcolm Lee will rove around breeding, gardening and healing.

 

It’s time this magnificent herb was welcomed into mainstream Australian life, and the persecution and prejudice to stop. Medical cannabis has been a growing international phenomenon over the last few decades, and Australia is only now starting to catch on and catch up. The HEMPOSIUM aims to expand the mind as much as that special weed herself, and is a space to inform, learn, agitate, inspire and connect in this massively important green revolution. Let’s not take another 30 years! Help us OVERGROW THE GOVERNMENT!

 

Check out the Hemposium programs from the last 10 years: