Pubdate: Tue, 31 Oct 2000
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2000 The Province
Contact:  200 Granville Street, Ste. #1, Vancouver, BC V6C 3N3 Canada
Fax: (604) 605-2323
Website: http://www.vancouverprovince.com/
Author: Damian Inwood

POT PARTY TAKES HIGH ROAD IN ELECTION BATTLE

Marc Emery and Norm Siefken want the government to go to pot.

But these two aren't like those stereotypical stoners, Cheech and Chong, 
forever firing up a huge joint.

The Marijuana Party of Canada takes its role in the federal election 
campaign very seriously.

"People should be growing more pot," said B.C. leader Emery, the party's 
candidate in Vancouver Centre.

Emery, the former owner of the Cannabis Cafe and Hemp B.C., is a veteran of 
the battle to legalize marijuana.

But he is realistic enough to know he'll do well to get 1,000 votes in the 
battle with Liberal incumbent Hedy Fry.

"If we get any more than that, that's a successful election," Emery said in 
the Gastown suite which is the home base for his marijuana seed 
distribution.  "We want to rob the other parties of votes."

As of Monday, the Marijuana Party had 12 candidates in B.C., with 30 more 
in Quebec.  The goal is to get 50 candidates across Canada so the party can 
give tax credits and do some "serious fundraising."

Siefken, the Marijuana Party candidate in the Fraser Valley riding, drops 
by the suite after picking up his medicinal stash at the Vancouver 
Compassion Club.

Siefken's satchel is stuffed with plastic-wrapped cannabis brownies as well 
as several pill bottles filled with aromatic bud.

"There's a real grassroots movement happening," he said. "People in their 
30s and 40s have said they'll vote for the first time ever."

Siefken is a 42-year-old hospital radiation technologist who lives in 
Chilliwack.  He has a legal prescription for marijuana to ease back spasms 
stemming from a 1995 traffic accident.

He was hit on a crosswalk, thrown 10 metres and suffered four fractured 
vertebrae.

Siefken's platform includes setting up an "international sanctuary in the 
Fraser Valley as a safe harbour for people facing persecution for marijuana 
offences."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager