Pubdate: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 Source: Abbotsford News (CN BC) Copyright: 2004 Hacker Press Ltd. Contact: http://www.abbynews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1155 Author: Russ Akins Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmjcn.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal - Canada) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) MARIJUANA A BURNING FEDERAL ELECTION ISSUE Prime Minister Paul Martin may be re-thinking a spring election call - but marijuana will likely be a burning issue in the federal campaign regardless of when the writ is dropped. Incumbent Abbotsford Conservative MP Randy White wants assets of grow operations forfeited, vowing this week the problem of illicit drug cultivation must stop. And in announcing his candidacy for the Marijuana Party of Canada in the riding of Fraser Valley, Norm Siefken said Canada will "never be a free country until marijuana users have the same rights as alcohol consumers." In the riding of Abbotsford, Tim Felger - who ran unsuccessfully for mayor in the last civic elections - will tackle his arch rival White to win the job of MP. White proposes that proceeds of crime legislation be toughened to allow Crown prosecutors to apply to have homes, vehicles, cash and other assets owned by those convicted of drug crimes seized. Describing proceeds of crime legislation as being "mired in judicial muck," the MP said this week that sometimes all the offenders have to do after a police bust is "go home, fix their front door and they're back in business with a new crop in 12 weeks." However, if the two Marijuana Party candidates have their way, busts would be a thing of the past. Siefken told the Abbotsford News this week he is a a medical marijuana patient who uses cannabis to relieve severe pain from degenerating arthritis in his spinal column and ankles. He is licensed by Health Canada to grow and possess medical marijuana, but he admits to being a "recreational" marijuana user. "Canadians must have more than the bogus decriminalization being discussed by the Paul Martin's Liberals. Canada will never be a free country until marijuana users have the same rights as alcohol consumers." said Siefken. "A small percentage of alcohol consumers make irresponsible decisions which harm or kill others, but we don't treat all alcohol consumers as criminals because of this," he added. Felger told the Abbotsford News this week he believes Martin will not call a spring election, but that will offer him and Siefken more time to organize their campaigns. "Prohibition is a cancer on society," said Felger, who has made recent court appearances on cannabis-related charges. He considered running for the federal New Democrats, but said the NDP has a lot of "political baggage that people just don't like. "No, I don't expect a spring election," he said, adding: "Now we have the time to build momentum and hold some rallies and put a machine together." - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom