Pubdate: Sat, 19 Jun 2004
Source: Whistler Question (CN BC)
Copyright: 2004, Whistler Printing & Publishing Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.whistlerquestion.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1034

CANDIDATE FAVOURS POT'S LEGALIZATION

Norm Siefken, the Marijuana Party candidate in the federal electoral riding 
that includes Pemberton, has a simple request for those in the Pemberton 
area thinking of nipping his campaign signs as souvenirs: Please wait until 
after June 28.

"People want them as souvenirs because they have a pot leaf on them. I just 
wish they'd wait until after the election," said Siefken, who in addition 
to being the party's candidate in Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon is its Western 
Canada leader.

Siefken, one of about 100 Marijuana Party candidates nationwide, said that 
while party policy stipulates that hopefuls support the full legalization 
of marijuana, candidates are free to espouse any views they like on other 
issues.

Siefken, for example, is in favour of abolishing the federal gun registry, 
is a strong supporter of public health care, and stands fully behind 
Canada' s Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Siefken, who said he's hoping to improve upon the 800 votes he received in 
the Chilliwack riding in the 2000 electi on, nonetheless said legalizing 
marijuana is still his No. 1 issue.

He said other parties are far too concerned about what the Americans would 
think if marijuana were legalized.

He said the legalization and regulation of marijuana in Canada would result 
in $20 to $30 billion in federal taxes a year. As well, he said, if 1 per 
cent of Americans were to come to Canada for what he called "marijuana 
tourism," the tourist industry would see $12 to $15 billion in new revenue 
every year.

"This is Canada and issues should be decided according to what the Canadian 
people want," Siefken said. "The Americans certainly don't look to Canada 
any time they want to do something, and neither should we."
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D