Pubdate: Fri, 18 Jul 2003 Source: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (Canada Web) Copyright: 2003 CBC Contact: http://www.cbc.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1412 Author: Raelyne Linton Video: Raelyne Linton reports (runs 1:28) http://novascotia.cbc.ca/clips/Novascotia/ram-lo/ns_marijuana_party030718.ram Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjparty.htm (Canadian Marijuana Party) MARIJUANA PARTY LIGHTS UP THE RACE HALIFAX - The fifth party to join the race was slow getting started, but the Marijuana Party announced Friday it has one candidate campaigning in the election. Jene Prudy, who is running in the district in Antigonish, is advocating the legalization of marijuana. The party is hopeful nine other candidates will come forward in the next week. Melanie Stephen-Patriquen, the party's agent, says people shouldn't be persecuted over a plant. "I think people need to get focused on the bigger issues which are health care and secondary education for our youth. I believe we have to enlighten as many people as possible," she says. Stephen-Patriquen is married to the leader of the Marijuana Party who is serving time in a federal prison on a drug-related conviction. She doesn't think people will shy away from the party because her husband is in jail. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin