The AusCannaPodcast: Why Australia Still Criminalises Cannabis with Miles Hunt

Cannabis reform in Australia is no longer a fringe issue… but why does meaningful change still feel so slow?In this episode of the AusCannaPodcast, Christina sits down with lawyer, activist and former Senate candidate Miles Hunt for a wide-ranging conversation about cannabis prohibition, harm minimisation, politics, stigma and the future of reform in Australia.Miles shares his journey from working inside the legal system to becoming a public advocate for cannabis and drug law reform, including the personal risks and stigma that can come with speaking openly about cannabis in Australia.Together, they discuss:🌱 Why prohibition has failed⚖️ Medicinal cannabis driving laws🏛️ Why politicians may privately support reform but publicly avoid it🧠 Media fear mongering and public perception💊 Pill testing and harm reduction🏡 Hemp industries and sustainable futures🔥 Why MardiGrass remains so important for the movement📈 Whether Australia could legalise cannabis within the next decadeThis episode is thoughtful, honest, hopeful and deeply grounded in the reality of where cannabis reform currently sits in Australia.Chapters:* Rapid Fire (3:06)* From Lawyer to Drug Law Reform Advocate (13:22)* Why Adult Use Markets Reduce Harm (16:01)* The Risks of Public Cannabis Advocacy (17:39)* Parenting, Stigma & Speaking Publicly (19:00)* First Impressions of MardiGrass (23:40)* Stigma vs Science in Cannabis Prohibition (26:38)* Why Does Australia Still Criminalise Cannabis in 2026? (29:01)* Media Fear Mongering & Public Perception (31:31)* Pill Testing & Harm Reduction (34:50)* Why Australia Needs Federal Cannabis Frameworks (36:36)* What Realistic Reform Looks Like (39:39)* Hemp, Sustainability & Economic Opportunity (41:44)* What Keeps Miles Optimistic (45:12)* Final Thoughts & Where To Follow Miles (49:01)Show Notes:* On The Road - Jack Kerouac* Thievery Corporation* Eathan Nadelmann MardiGrass Talk* Drug Law Reform Australia* Unharm Website* Sydney Morning Herald Article from 2013… Lawyer: ‘I’ve used drugs’* HempcreteWhere to Find Miles:* Miles on Instagram* Miles on FacebookWhere to Find Christina:* @AusCannaReviews on SubStack* @AusCannaReviews on Instagram* @AusCannaReviews on Twitter/X* 👉 Got a Rapid Fire question? Email [email protected]* 💚 Want to support the podcast? Buy Me A Coffee/AusCannaPodcast This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit auscannareviews.substack.com