Pubdate: Tue, 01 Mar 2005 Source: Edmonton Journal (CN AB) Copyright: 2005 The Edmonton Journal Contact: http://www.canada.com/edmonton/edmontonjournal/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/134 Author: Joe Paraskevas, CanWest News Service Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) LIBERAL CONVERT ADAMANT ABOUT LEGALIZING POT St.-Maurice Founded The Marijuana Party OTTAWA - Political defections to the Liberal party aren't unusual, but the announcement today to confirm the issuance of Liberal membership No. 766001 is bound to turn heads. Marc-Boris St-Maurice, the founder and former leader of the Marijuana party, is the latest Liberal convert. St-Maurice, 36, said Monday he wants to help the Liberals become the party that completely legalizes marijuana and he believes there is already substantial support for such legislation among party members. "They may be silent supporters, but I know for a fact that it's very strong support and I will try and -- without trying to make any puns - smoke them out, identify them and work to try and come together and make (new legislation) work," he said. The Liberal government's bill C-17, which would decriminalize possession and production of small amounts of marijuana, making such offences punishable with fines, is currently before the Commons' justice committee. In the last eight years, St-Maurice has helped organize parties dedicated to reforming marijuana laws. He's been arrested seven times for possessing small amounts of marijuana and appeared before committees of the House of Commons and the Senate. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth