Pubdate: Wed, 05 Jan 2011
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2011 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact: http://www2.canada.com/theprovince/letters.html
Website: http://www.theprovince.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: Damian Inwood
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://mapinc.org/people/Dana+Larsen
Bookmark: http://mapinc.org/people/Tommy+Chong

HIGH PRAISE FOR NDP HOPEFUL

Tommy Chong Backs Marijuana Activist

Marijuana activist Dana Larsen is hoping his NDP leadership bid gets 
a bit of a buzz from a smokin' endorsement by Canadian comedian Tommy Chong.

"I joined the B.C. NDP for one reason, and that is Dana Larsen," said 
Chong, best known as half of the comedy duo Cheech and Chong who 
starred in the pot-buster movie Up In Smoke.

Chong released a video Tuesday in which he appeared in a jovial, 
relaxed mood, with a Free Marc Emery poster shown prominently in the 
background.

"Dana Larsen can change the face of this country but he needs your 
help," said Chong in the video.

Larsen has been in a war of words with the NDP since announcing his 
bid for the leadership of the party on Dec. 28.

So far, he is the only declared candidate.

Party president Moe Sihota said Larsen was ineligible to run because 
his party membership expired in November.

Larsen said he has been a member in good standing for seven years and 
renewed his membership in November, including a change of address.

Larsen was the co-founder of the B.C. Marijuana Party and ran 
federally for the NDP in the West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast riding.

In 2008, he stepped down from the campaign after videos of him 
smoking pot and taking LSD surfaced on the Internet.

Larsen said Tuesday that if he became B.C. premier he would legalize pot.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom