Pubdate: Tue, 07 Feb 2006
Source: Ha'aretz (Israel)
Copyright: 2006sHa'aretz Daily Newspaper Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.haaretz.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/807
Author: Lilach Weisman, Haaretz Correspondent
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
			
PRO-MARIJUANA PARTY DEMANDS TO RUN IN HIGH SCHOOL ELECTIONS

The Green Leaf Party, which calls for the legalisation of cannabis, is
threatening to request an interim injunction banning it from the mock
elections in Blich high school, claiming the school did not allow the
party to take part.

"We'll teach Blich's principal a lesson in civics," said Green Leaf
chairman Boaz Wachtel.

The high school customarily holds mock elections that are
traditionally seen as predicting the outcome of national election results.

Green Leaf's platform, which was unveiled Monday at a news conference
in Tel Aviv, calls for the legalization of soft drugs, whose use would
not entail punishment unless carried out in the presence of minors. It
also calls for criminal cases to be closed for those convicted of
using soft drugs.

The party's platform advocates allowing people to grow a certain
number of cannabis plants for personal use, or buying it in special
shops located in industrial areas, which would operate only in the
evening hours.

"Grean Leaf is not advocating free drug use. We're in favor of
legalizing cannabis, like cigarettes and alcohol, with age and sales
restrictions," Wachtel said.

Despite the public opinion polls predicting the party would not get
into the Knesset, Wachtel said, "we believe we'll get in anyway."

The number two on the party's list, Shlomi Sandak, added "the
establishment is idiotic enough to persecute people for using a plant
that God created."

Wachtel also had a message for the youth: "It's better to live without
drugs. Don't use drugs whether they're legal or not. The younger you
are when you start, the worse off your life will be."
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MAP posted-by: Derek