Cannabis on Stonehouse’s State agenda

WA’s Youngest MP and new Liberal Democrat for the South Metro-politan Region Aaron Stonehouse gave his first speech in Parliament last Wednesday.

The 26-year-old, who hails from Rockingham, outlined his background, political ideology and policy visions for the next term of Government.

Stonehouse’s meteoric rise from political unknown to potential powerbroker in the legislative council is one of the more remarkable political stories in 2017.

Before the March 11 poll, Mr Stonehouse worked as a call centre manager before a surprise win at the State Election secured him the fifth spot in the South Metropolitan Region.

Mr Stonehouse acknowledged his political inexperience during his first speech and said what he lacked in age, he would make up for in conviction.

Mr Stonehouse wants to legalise cannabis for recreational use and abolish restrictions on trading hours for licensed venues, as well as allowing tasers and pepper spray to be used for self-defence.

“The major parties in WA seem to believe that if you smoke, drink, gamble, vape or buy your kids a happy meal, that somehow makes you a bad person,” Mr Stonehouse said.

Mr Stonehouse also outlined his views on “the disastrous war on drugs”, stating he would make the case for policies focusing on harm reduction as well as tackling “nanny-state regulations” that chip away at basic rights and freedoms.