Pubdate: Wed, 21 Dec 2005
Source: Amherst Daily News (CN NS)
Copyright: Amherst Daily News 2005
Contact:  http://www.amherstdaily.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3379
Author: Darrell Cole
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?330 (Hemp - Outside U.S.)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

FACING DRUG CHARGES, LITTLE FORKS TO RUN FOR ELECTION

AMHERST -- A Little Forks man who is facing charges for growing
marijuana and giving away the hemp oil he produces from it is throwing
his hat into the ring as an independent candidate in the Jan. 23
federal election.

Rick Simpson makes no apologies for what he has done because he
believes he is saving lives by giving away the hemp oil produced by
the marijuana plants he cultivates and feels that by running as an
independent candidate he can bring awareness to the benefits of hemp
oil and help bring about a change in Canada's drug laws, which he
feels are antiquated and ignore those who are benefitting most from
the use of hemp oil.

"I am entering politics because no one is telling the Canadian people
the truth, we can no longer stand by while graft, corruption and
ignorance ruin our nation," Simpson said, adding he is not entering
politics for the money. If elected he plans to donate his entire
paycheque to Phoenix Tears for the production of more medicine. "I
have medical issues of my own, but I feel that I am capable of
representing my constituents properly and honestly."

Simpson's residence was raided by RCMP in August and he was charged
with possession, possession for the purpose of trafficking and
unlawfully producing marijuana. He has been committed to stand trial
in Supreme Court, but no trial date has been set.

Simpson said he plans to ask his opponents to explain why the three
main political parties have been running away from what he considers
the mother of all miracle drugs.

"All we hear is screaming about preventative medicine, the high cost
of health care, the long wait for operations that some folks must
endure. The whole system is in shambles," he said. "If this oil is
used properly it will go a long way toward curing many of our medical
woes."

Simpson has been producing hemp oil for over three years and he has
been giving it away to hundreds of people with a variety of diseases
and conditions. Hemp, he said, has been known throughout history as a
plant with a high medicinal value and the oils made from hemp
containing high levels of THC have amazing healing power. However, he
believes corruption has led to it being restricted.

"Governments pass laws and produce propaganda to brainwash the public
into believing that hemp is harmful," he said. "I'm here to tell you
that it's not. I have sworn affidavits from dozens of folks who had
serious medical conditions and hemp oil worked wonders for them."

Since first discovering the benefits of hemp after curing his own
cancer in February 2003, Simpson has sent numerous letters to federal
and provincial politicians including Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh,
but he has had very little response and wonders why no one is willing
to lift a finger to help while people continue to suffer and die needlessly.

Simpson is the fifth candidate to enter the race in Cumberland
Colchester Musquodoboit Valley, following incumbent Conservative Bill
Casey, Liberal Gary Richard, New Democrat Margaret Sagar and Bruce
Farrell from the Green Party.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin