Pubdate: Thu, 07 Oct 2010 Source: Hamilton Spectator (CN ON) Copyright: 2010 The Hamilton Spectator Contact: http://www.thespec.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/181 Author: Emma Reilly MAYORAL DEBATE UP IN SMOKE A debate over pot advocacy is flaring up between election candidates after two mayoral hopefuls boosted marijuana at a downtown high school. At an assembly at Sir John A. Macdonald High School on Thursday morning, Michael Baldasaro advocated for growing cannabis in Hamilton. Another mayoral candidate told a rival he "needs to smoke a joint." The spat prompted one mayoral candidate, Edward H.C. Graydon, to quit the race and throw his support behind Larry Di Ianni. It all began during the closing arguments at a mayoral debate held at Sir John A. Baldasaro, who claims to be a medicinal marijuana user, told the students that the city should grow and harvest cannabis to create jobs. "I wasn't talking about smoking it. I was talking about growing it for food, fuel, and medicine," said Baldasaro. When it was Graydon's turn to make his final argument, he took issue with Baldasaro's comments and spoke out against marijuana use. "The kids, of course, showed their displeasure," Di Ianni said. Di Ianni then defended Graydon and spoke about his experiences watching the negative effects of drug use as an educator. Finally, the microphone was handed to Andrew Haines, also a medicinal marijuana user. "You really need to smoke a joint," Haines told Graydon. "At that point, the entire audience lit right up - no pun intended," Haines said. Graydon told the Spectator he would formally announce his withdrawal from the race at the next all-candidates meeting. He said he believes that Di Ianni is the only one of his former competitors that can do the job. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D