Marijuana laws celebrated by Nimbin 'Mardigrass' icon

NIMBIN MardiGrass identity Max Stone says he has something in common with the late four-star US General George S. Patton.

"Now I know how General Patton felt as his tank was rolling into Berlin in World War Two," Mr Stone said.

"The war is won," he said.

Patton's tank did not make it to Berlin but the analogy remains apt.

The Federal Government's decision to legalise medicinal marijuana has brought celebrations to Australia's pot

capital.

"There is just a really good vibe," Mr Stone said.

"We're all volunteer

activists, and we've been watching a long line of sick and dying people come to town who have been desperate for this," he said.

"Waking up knowing the Federal Government has legalised it - we've been waiting for that for the past 20 years."

The NSW Government has already started the hunt for sites to grow the herb in NSW to support a pharmaceutical supply if clinical trials are successful.

Primary Industries

Minister Niall Blair said: "This could open up a whole new industry for our

regions."

Mr Stone said legal hemp farmers were growing the plant for industrial purposes across the state.

"I would hope (the

government) would follow the science and understand that if you put the plant in the ground, you get a more homeopathic result than if you grow it in a bucket of chemicals," he said.

"There are currently farms all over NSW, so luckily we're already ahead of the game.

"All we need is for more licences to be rolled out to get more people involved."

- APN NEWSDESK