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."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom