Pubdate: Mon, 18 Jan 2016 Source: Journal-Pioneer, The (CN PI) Copyright: 2016 Journal-Pioneer Contact: http://www.journalpioneer.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2789 Author: Eric McCarthy Page: A3 Lobbying WEED WITH THAT Author of 'Cannabis in Canada' Sends Marijuana With Book to MPs Members of Parliament from Egmont and Malpeque ridings didn't even review the literature that a British Columbia pot activist mailed to their constituency offices. Dana Larsen claims to have sent a copy of his book, "Cannabis in Canada: The Illustrated History," plus a one-gram marijuana sampling to all 184 MPs in the new Liberal government. Besides promoting his book, it was to serve as a reminder of the Liberal government's promise to decriminalize marijuana. Egmont MP Bobby Morrissey said the RCMP had already picked up the package, including the book and the marijuana, before he was even aware it had arrived at his Summerside office. "A staff member advised me that there was a package at the office that was suspicious, and that she dealt with it according to protocol," Morrissey described the process that was followed. The protocol involves police "who remove it and determine if it is a package that should not arrive at an MP's office," Morrissey explained. There was no noticeable smell when the package first arrived, and it was only deemed suspicious after a staff member opened it and saw the contents. Staff had already contacted the RCMP prior to receiving a communique from the Liberal Whip's office advising them to use that approach. At Wayne Easter's Malpeque office in Hunter River, a staff member opened the package, saw the book and set it inside Easter's "green book" for him to review upon his return to the country. Once the office received the communique, the staff member retrieved the contents from Easter's office. The RCMP were contacted and picked up the package, book, marijuana and all. A staff member at the Hunter River office said it was the first time she can recall a package of that nature arriving there. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom