The controversial former New South Wales Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham is attempting to make a political comeback with the Legalise Cannabis Party.
He will be leading the party's upper house ticket for the upcoming state election.
Mr Buckingham was a Greens Upper House MP from 2011 to 2018, when he sensationally quit the party over factional infighting after he was accused of sexual harassment — an allegation he denies.
He unsuccessfully ran as an independent in the last state election, but now wants to return to Macquarie Street.
"I'm still passionate about environmental and social justice reform in New South Wales," Mr Buckingham said.
"I fell like I've got more to give."
The Legalise Cannabis Party's platform is to decriminalise the drug for recreational use.
"There are many people suffering injustice because of the prohibition of cannabis," he said.
In 2021, the party had two MPs elected to the upper house in Western Australia, and then another two last year in Victoria.
"We think we are a very good chance in New South Wales," he said.
"Conservative minor parties have been the tail that's wagged the dog in New South Wales and Australian politics for far too long."
In the last NSW parliamentary term there were two members of Pauline Hanson's One Nation, two members of the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party and the Reverend Fred Nile in the upper house.
There also three Greens MPs — and one of their party defectors, Independent Justin Field — as well as two members of the Animal Justice Party.
Mr Buckingham says he believes he can "work constructively with all sides of politics".
"We need people in parliament that can put aside their differences and get progressive reform done."
Cannabis is a prohibited drug in the state, unless it's prescribed as a medicine.
If a person is caught with a small amount of cannabis and is a first time offender, they're likely to get a caution rather than be charged with a criminal offence.
