Pubdate: Fri, 04 May 2001
Source: Parksville Qualicum Beach News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2001 Parksville Qualicum Beach News
Contact:  http://www.pqbnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1361
Author: Adrienne Mercer

POT IS NOT THE MAIN ISSUE, SAYS MARIJUANA CADIDATE

Some might find Leonard Melman a surprising choice as the North 
Nanaimo-Parksville candidate for the B.C. Marijuana Party.

He doesn't use marijuana, recreational drugs, tobacco or alcohol. Not only 
that, but he is outgoing president of the Canadian Alliance's 
Nanaimo-Alberni Constituency Association.

But as Melman says, you don't have to inhale to believe others should be 
able to - and if you take a look at the party's platform, the stereotypes 
go up in a puff of smoke.

He explains the Marijuana party is similar to the Alliance in its focus on 
individual freedom. But that belief is not limited to the legalization of 
marijuana. The party supports a wide range of changes, including 
decentralization of the management and ownership of B.C.'s forests, 
proportional representation in the legislature and an elected senate.

"The provincial platform is a really broad-based philosophical platform," 
Melman said. "When things are explained in terms of freedom, in terms of 
philosophy, in terms of liberty, I think people will open their eyes."

Born in Winnipeg in 1942, the 59-year-old Nanoose Bay resident boasts a 
varied and active political background.

"I grew up in a socialist household -- all of my family was part of the 
CCF," he said. "My father belonged to the International Ladies Garment 
Workers Union, which for years was viewed as one of the most radical unions."

In 1962, he moved to the United States with his family, and at first, 
remained a part of the political left. Eventually though, he became 
disillusioned with a movement he didn't see as supportive of the business 
community.

He had two careers in the States, as a finance company manager and a 
securities and commodities broker. During his time there, he also 
discovered the Libertarian party after meeting Jay Eckl, one of the party's 
founders, in 1974.

Eckl gave him two books to read, Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead and Atlas 
Shrugged. Both books impressed Melman, particularly the latter.

"I've been a confirmed Libertarian ever since," he said.

 From 1978 to 1984, he was president of the Libertarian party in San Luis 
Obispo County, California, a position he also held in Spokane, Washington 
from 1989 to 1995.

When his second wife Charlotte died of ovarian cancer in November 1995, 
Melman decided to move to B.C., a place the two of them had loved to visit 
together. He settled in Ucluelet, where he enjoyed reading, writing for the 
International California Mining Journal and exploring area beaches.

He later met and married his wife, Thama, established a home in Nanoose 
Bay, and connected with the Alliance and the Marijuana Party after 
recognizing their similarities to the Libertarian Party. With candidate 
debates underway, Melman is happy to be sparring with the competition.

"I love to speak in public," he said. "I really enjoy the rough and tumble 
of open political debate."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom