Pubdate: Tue, 15 May 2001 Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC) Copyright: 2001 The Vancouver Sun Contact: http://www.vancouversun.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477 Page: A15 Author: Clyde Fowler Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjparty.htm (Canadian Marijuana Party) SMOKE OUT MARIJUANA VOTERS I, like so many people, have been content to sit on the sidelines. However, having spent the past several weeks watching, reading and listening to the media minions and supposed political pundits slagging and smirking about the B.C. Marijuana Party, I feel compelled to shake off the cloak of fear and apprehension that accompanies going public with one's beliefs. For the life of me, I cannot see what is very wrong with a party that appears to be pro-West, pro-business and pro-freedom. Using the government's own figures, somewhere between 50 and 80 per cent of us have experimented with, occasionally use or regularly use marijuana. One would think that this would translate into a like number of votes. However, we are Canadians so the hypocrisy factor will figure into the mix in a big way. I'm 48 years old and I've been smoking marijuana recreationally for 33 years. During those years, I've enjoyed a toke with many and diverse people. The list includes fishermen, loggers, welders, doctors, taxi drivers, school teachers, pilots, lawyers (at least one is a judge now), professors, hockey coaches and players, trappers, miners, nurses, ministers, musicians (well, duh), politicians, bank managers, reporters, news directors, artists, sportscasters, broadcasters, car salesmen, and the list could go on. When the government insists on prohibiting an action favoured by the majority, that's dictatorship. When the authorities act on those prohibitions, that's imposing the law, not enforcing it. It's time to stand up and be counted. Remember that it doesn't matter whose sign is on your lawn, or whose campaign you pay lip service to, you can vote in private for freedom in public. Clyde Fowler Prince George - --- MAP posted-by: GD