James Mathison to lead Legalise Cannabis Party in NSW State Election

James Mathison knows advocating for cannabis use could come at a cost, both personally and professionally. But he says the urge for change is stronger than the politics of social inaction.

James Mathison knows advocating for cannabis use could come at a cost, both personally and professionally. But he says the urge for change is stronger than the politics of social inaction, so the northern beaches father of two is stepping up to lead the Legalise Cannabis Party’s ticket in the NSW State Election next month.

The last time the former Australian Idol host tried his hand at politics, he lost against Tony Abbott for the federal seat of Warringah in 2016. But he says there’s enough noise on the controversial issue now that this time could see a more favourable result.

“I’m really excited to dust off the campaign boots again and get involved,” the 45-year-old told The Sunday Telegraph.

“For a decade I worked in music TV and through that went to countless festivals, concerts, live events - I would often see young adults being detained, ejected or worse still, arrested for having some cannabis in their pocket or having a joint.

“That always struck me as unjust considering people around them were ten beers deep and that was socially acceptable, whereas these other young people were made to be criminals for how they chose to unwind or enjoy themselves.

Former Australian Idol host James Mathison is running for state politics for the Legalise Cannabis Party. Picture: Darren Leigh Roberts

“More recently I’ve met a lot of people who use cannabis in a way that ensures they can have a quality of life - people with Crohn’s disease, or chronic pain or nerve damage - who rely on cannabis to have this functioning life that you and I both enjoy.

“And the system at the moment, doesn’t support those people.

“Part of me feels that if something is unjust, you’ve got to speak out about it.

“And you’ve got to pick your battles, but it just felt like the time was right for this.”

James Mathison when he ran in 2016.

He said Australians currently using medically prescribed cannabis were forking out upwards of $500 a month for their medicine - a figure not subsidised by the PBS.

“And that’s for something you can grow at home for free,” said Mathison, who will enjoy a joint himself ‘once in a blue moon’.

“This isn’t a fringe issue, it’s a human rights issue, and it’s a moral issue for a lot of people.

“I mean you can get booze delivered to your house in 30 minutes, you can go to the supermarket and buy alcohol, yet for using something that is less deadly, less toxic, less addictive, less dangerous, and less damaging, you’re a criminal.

“I think the movement is growing and we’ve seen lots of countries around the world move into this direction.

“Almost half the states of America have passed laws allowing this to happen and the sky hasn’t fallen in, rates haven’t skyrocketed, the place hasn’t gone to the pits - it’s just become normal and boring, regulated and controlled - just as it should be.”

Another need for urgent change is within driving laws, Mathison argues.

James Mathison isn’t scared to stand up for what he believes in. Photo: Darren Leigh Roberts

“So doctors can safely and effectively prescribe you cannabis - but if you’re taking that medication, you can’t drive to work the next day or the day after - but if you’re on a high strength opioid, you can drive to work and you’re not going to be tested for it to you risk your license or you risk your job,” he said.

“We need to overhaul these driving laws and so that if you have a medically prescribed cannabis prescription, you should be able to, if you’re not impaired on the road, show that you have a prescription and drive, as you would for any medication.

“At the moment you can get prescribed cannabis, but if you use it, a week later you can’t drive to the chemist and pick up your prescription.

“It’s crazy.

“But we have such a hangover from the war on drugs, that people are reluctant to say this is crazy and we should change it.”

Notoriously private about his private life, Mathison knows this is again inviting the world in - but says change is more important.

“When I went up against Tony Abbott, the compulsion to try and change things outweighed my desire for personal privacy, and this is a similar issue,” he said.

“I just feel it in my belly.

“There hasn’t been many people with a public profile prepared to say these sorts of things, and that’s been part of the problem...people who are advocates or consumers of cannabis know there are social repercussions, maybe with their work, maybe their family, maybe with their career, maybe with other opportunities.

“Looking at the statistics, over 40 per cent of Australians have used cannabis - but you wouldn’t know that people have a reluctance to be open it.

“But I think that will start to change.”