Pubdate: Tue, 17 Apr 2001 Source: Abbotsford News (CN BC) Copyright: 2001 Hacker Press Ltd. Contact: http://www.abbynews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1155 Author: Russ Akins, Abbotsford News POT PARTY HAS PRESENCE Upstarts Promote Very Liberal Platform The B.C. Marijuana Party will field at least two candidates locally. Jon Fulford will run in Abbotsford-Clayburn, while Norm Siefken will run in Chilliwack-Sumas. Unlike their platform in the November federal election, Siefken said the provincial party is not a one-issue entity. "It's not a left-wing agenda, it's not a right-wing agenda," he said. Siefken said the B.C. Marijuana Party is the only party that has a sovereignty policy: "Right now in B.C. there are United States Drug Enforcement Agency agents, with the RCMP taking orders from the DEA. The bottom line is, we're going to send them all home." The party also believes in establishing legal brothels, along European lines, "thereby eliminating disease and child prostitution," said Siefken. The party also promises provincial tax cuts. Fulford, 20, told the Abbotsford News yesterday he has an extensive background in alternative medicine, public speaking, holistic health, and internet technology. "I am not too concerned about any competition, as I feel the NDP has abandoned or ignored virtually all of it's principles and platforms," he said. He said the party recognizes that "virtually all of the sacramental and sacred plants of First Nations people in North and South America have been banned in an effort to destroy native culture and spiritual practices. First Nations people should be allowed to grow any plants they want on their land, and we support First Nations rights to self-determination and self-sufficiency," said Fulford. - --- MAP posted-by: Josh Sutcliffe